Home / Weather / SoCal Coast Floods as Tropical Storm Rachel Nears
SoCal Coast Floods as Tropical Storm Rachel Nears
9 Oct
Summary
- Powerful waves caused significant damage to Long Beach's Peninsula.
- Coastal flood advisories warn of continued impacts during high tides.
- Tropical Storm Rachel is approaching the California coast.
Coastal flooding has impacted parts of Southern California as Tropical Storm Rachel makes its approach. Long Beach's Peninsula has been particularly affected, with strong ocean swells and high tides damaging coastal structures. A significant portion of the protective seawall and boardwalk sustained damage, allowing seawater to flood streets and threaten homes.
Inundation reached ankle-deep in some locations, leading to restricted vehicle access and the marking of residential buildings as unsafe. Emergency efforts are underway, including sandbag placement and barrier reinforcement, to mitigate further damage. Authorities caution that flooding and erosion may worsen with upcoming high tides.
Neighboring areas, including Newport Beach and other parts of Orange County, are also contending with hazardous coastal conditions. These include street flooding, beach erosion, and dangerous rip currents. Waves are anticipated to range from 3 to 5 feet, with isolated sets potentially reaching 6 to 7 feet.
As of the morning of October 9, Tropical Storm Rachel was situated southwest of San Diego and moving northeast. Forecasts suggest it may weaken as it nears the California coast over the weekend. Despite potential weakening, coastal communities could still face flooding, erosion, and hazardous surf.
