Tropical Storm Rachel Triggers Evacuations and Beach Closures Along Southern California Coast

Tropical Storm Rachel Brings Coastal Flood Warnings to Southern California

Tropical Storm Rachel's arrival on Saturday, October 10, 2026, has prompted widespread coastal flood warnings from Malibu to San Diego, as high surf and tides flood beachfront communities. The National Weather Service reported damaging seawater flooding was likely, especially in vulnerable south-facing beaches like Long Beach and Malibu.

Mandatory Evacuations in Long Beach Amid Rising Waters

As tropical storm Rachel approached, Long Beach issued a long beach evacuation order for homes on Seaside Walk, between 64th and 66th places. The mandatory order took effect Friday evening and is scheduled to last until noon Tuesday, though city officials warned it could change as conditions evolve. Waves topped the bulkhead, sending water into homes and onto streets. Emergency repair crews worked where possible, and inspectors red-tagged eight buildings—marking them as unsafe to enter—encompassing 13 addresses, while another building received a yellow tag, restricting its use.

Newport Beach Closures in Response to Flooding

Nearby, newport beach closures were announced Saturday as flooding forced the shutdown of all city beaches and piers. The city declared a local emergency after overnight flooding on the Balboa Peninsula, and crews began rebuilding sand berms, opening tide valves, and running pumps in an effort to curb further impacts. However, as city officials noted, these measures merely reduce, but do not eliminate, all flood risks.

Longtime Newport Beach resident Joe Angelo described the scene as one of “shock and disbelief,” noting he had never previously seen water on the beach in his 27 years of living there. Residents and visitors lined the area with sandbags and watched the unusually large surf, despite warnings to stay clear.

Response and Emergency Preparedness Efforts

Throughout the region, local governments mobilized emergency preparedness measures. Long Beach crews distributed sandbags to residents, while Newport Beach officials maintained heightened alerts. Huntington Beach activated its emergency operations center, and many visitors gathered to witness the waves, particularly at whitewater spots along Bolsa Chica State Beach.

The National Weather Service’s San Diego office advised the most significant impacts would be felt Sunday morning, when storm surge, onshore winds, and high tides peak. Inland, southern San Bernardino County was also at risk, facing up to a 40% chance of excessive rainfall that could result in flash flooding, meteorologists reported.

Unusual Climate and Weather Patterns Fueling Storm Surge Impacts

Climate scientist Daniel Swain from UC Agriculture and Natural Resources highlighted the unique sequence of events contributing to storm surge impacts and beach flooding: the merging of an early low-pressure trough off California’s coast and record warm ocean temperatures. These unusual conditions intensified the storm’s power, resulting in the hazardous circumstances along the Southern California coast.

Looking Ahead: Ongoing Risks and Safety Precautions

With the center of Rachel expected to move onshore in northern Baja California on Saturday night, officials are urging continued caution due to the evolving situation. Residents and visitors are asked to heed evacuation orders, beach closures, and safety advisories to mitigate storm related evacuations and high tide flooding. The return dates for affected areas may shift based on real-time assessments of weather and coastal conditions.

Source: latimes.com.