Coastal flooding warnings linger in Southern California as storm Rachel eases
After Tropical Storm Rachel, the National Weather Service keeps coastal flooding advisories in place for Southern California, with additional high tides expected Monday and Tuesday.
The remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel caused damage to coastal homes in Long Beach and flooding in the Coachella Valley, yet forecasters now consider the storm’s peak over. The National Weather Service continues coastal flooding advisories from San Diego through San Luis Obispo, with two additional high-tide periods expected Monday morning and Tuesday morning, each around 7.5 feet. While weekend morning tides produced minor flooding, nighttime tides did not, and beach erosion, parking-lot inundation and strong rip currents remain likely.
A man was found dead at Dockweiler Beach, prompting an investigation into possible storm-related drowning. Impacts were less severe than some officials feared; Long Beach saw boardwalk loss and house damage, whereas Newport Beach avoided major harm after reinforcing berms. Scientists attribute Rachel’s intensity to unusually warm ocean waters driven by El Niño, a marine heatwave, and climate change, warning that further tropical storms could appear before the season ends. By week’s end, the region is expected to shift to hot, dry conditions and early Santa Ana winds, raising wildfire risk.
Why it matters
Continued flooding alerts affect daily life and safety along California’s coast and signal shifting weather risks.
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