California coastal homes battered and bruised after weekend of intense waves and flooding

Key Points:

• Southern California coastal communities experienced severe flooding and intense waves due to the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel, causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure, particularly in Long Beach and Newport Beach.
• At least nine homes in Long Beach have been deemed unsafe, displacing residents who cannot retrieve personal belongings, and the city has spent over $1 million from emergency reserves for storm-related damages.
• Newport Beach declared a local emergency and temporarily closed piers due to high surf, but cleanup efforts have begun and piers have since reopened with safety advisories in place.
• Las Vegas recorded an all-time daily rainfall record for October with 1.08 inches, contributing to flooding near the Strip as the storm system moved through the region.
• The extreme weather is linked to a powerful El Niño event, which is intensifying Pacific storms and is expected to bring a challenging winter to California with potential for heavy rain, landslides, and high tides, impacting weather patterns globally.