Tropical Storm Rachel threatens Southern California with dangerous surf, coastal flooding, and heavy rainfall as the system moves toward the region. Forecasters warn that flooding risks could increase significantly through the weekend and into early next week. This prompts coastal communities to distribute sandbags and reinforce vulnerable areas.
According to reports from ABC7 and meteorological agencies, waves reaching up to 6 feet prompted a Coastal Flood Advisory for beaches across Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange counties, effective until 2 p.m. Tuesday. High surf has already caused localized flooding along sections of the Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach and pushed water toward homes near Capistrano Beach in Dana Point.
Rare Tropical Storm Watch Issued for San Diego
A Tropical Storm Watch was issued for San Diego for just the second time in its recorded history as Tropical Storm Rachel threatens a rare landfall in Southern California. The only other time the National Hurricane Center issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Southern California was ahead of Hurricane Hilary in 2023. That storm brought substantial rain and flooding to desert regions and the broader Southwest.
Although Rachel is gradually weakening in the Eastern Pacific, its expansive moisture plume is expected to trigger flooding rain, mountain snow, and gusty winds across the West. Forecasters note that rain will start on Saturday across portions of California and the Southwest, with the flash flood threat ramping up considerably by Sunday.
Impacts Across Long Beach and Coastal Communities
In Long Beach, powerful waves struck the peninsula and a boarded-up boardwalk, raising serious concerns for residential properties near the shoreline. City officials made thousands of sandbags available to residents, capping distribution at 10 bags per vehicle. Municipal crews reinforced beach berms and inspected potentially vulnerable buildings.
“We want to remind residents this weekend the weather is going to change so if you are in the low lying areas, any area that has been impacted by flooding before, come and grab some sandbags,” said Melanie Miller of the Long Beach Fire Department.
Building and safety officials spent the day surveying homes to determine whether any properties required tagging. Residents lined up at designated fire stations-including stations 7, 12, 13, and 14-to secure sand and protect their homes.
Broader Regional Weather Impacts
A level 2 out of 4 flash flood threat spans a large portion of the Southwest, reaching from Southern California all the way to Utah and incorporating major metropolitan areas like Phoenix and Las Vegas. In these zones, 2 to 3 inches of rainfall is expected, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
While the incoming moisture will help alleviate the sweltering heatwave that impacted Southern California all week, it also brings hazards further inland. Moisture from the system is projected to reach as far north as Montana, fueling a fall snowstorm across the state and northern Wyoming. It will also bring high-elevation snow to parts of the Sierra Nevada.
Simultaneous Tropical Systems
Rachel is not the sole system influencing North American weather patterns. Hurricane Simon is projected to intensify into a major hurricane off the coast of Mexico, and Hurricane Isaias is threatening the northern Gulf Coast. According to historical tracking, the simultaneous threat of multiple tropical systems affecting the Gulf and West coasts concurrently is an extremely rare occurrence, having happened only twice since 1963.
Local emergency management officials continue to urge residents living in low-lying and flood-prone zones to monitor weather updates closely and complete necessary property preparations before conditions deteriorate further.
