Most residents affected by coastal flooding in Long Beach, California, returned home on Sunday, October 11, 2026. The city lifted broader evacuation advisories, but mandatory evacuation orders remained for select waterfront homes. Municipal crews continued repairing severe damage caused by powerful waves from Post-Tropical Storm Rachel.
The city announced the change at 6:15 p.m. Sunday. This update allowed residents in most areas of the Long Beach Peninsula, including Naples Island and Treasure Island, to leave evacuation advisory status. The National Weather Service downgraded its previous Coastal Flood Warning to an Advisory. However, city officials reported that minor to moderate coastal flooding remained possible around high tide.
Mandatory Evacuation Orders and Warnings Remain Active
Mandatory evacuation orders stayed in effect for homes in the 6400 and 6500 blocks of Seaside Walk. Evacuation warnings also continued for residents on 64th, 65th, and 66th Places south of Ocean Boulevard. Properties in the 6200, 6300, 6600, and 6700 blocks of Seaside Walk remained under these warnings.
City building inspection crews red-tagged eight buildings, which accounted for 13 residences, as unsafe to enter. One additional property received a yellow tag. Officials stressed that residents must strictly follow the occupancy and access restrictions posted at each property.
Infrastructure Repairs and Ongoing Mitigation Efforts
Significant wave activity from the storm overtopped bulkheads and sent water rushing into streets and homes along the coast. In response, municipal crews deployed heavy machinery, including a crane to position 30 heavy-duty, 3,000-pound sandbags to reinforce the bulkhead at 64th Place. They also used portable pumps continuously to stop ongoing water intrusion.
The City of Long Beach Public Works Department used large-haul trucks and bulldozers to distribute about 17,000 sandbags for this storm event. This brought the total number distributed across three recent storms to roughly 24,000. Access to the Peninsula remained restricted to nonresidents, with strict street closures starting at 62nd Place to give emergency personnel clear access.
Public Safety and Long-Term Outlook
Local authorities urged the public to stay away from closed-off areas, damaged boardwalk sections, and flooded roadways. While immediate emergency repairs held against high tides, city leaders and local representatives highlighted the coastline’s ongoing vulnerability. They emphasized the need for comprehensive long-term beach renourishment and coastal infrastructure protection projects as the region enters the winter storm season.
