Live updates: Southern California battered by high winds, rain and flooding as Rachel makes landfall

Key Points:

• Southern California is preparing for the impact of Post-Tropical Storm Rachel, which is expected to bring modest rain (less than an inch in L.A.) and high surf, with a significant chance of showers on Monday, especially inland.
• Long Beach is facing severe coastal flooding and infrastructure damage, with multiple buildings red-tagged as unsafe; the city has issued mandatory evacuation orders and is bracing for a prolonged recovery period, seeking state and federal assistance.
• Coastal communities including Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and San Diego are on alert for high tides and flooding, with waves reaching 6 to 9 feet and potential flooding of low-lying properties during Sunday’s high tide.
• The storm made landfall in northern Baja California with 60 mph winds, marking one of the rare tropical storms to affect the region; historical comparisons include the deadly 1939 El Cordonazo storm and 1997’s Nora, both linked to strong El Niño conditions.
• NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center forecasts a very strong El Niño this season, with an 83% chance it will be the strongest on record since 1950, increasing the likelihood of above-average hurricane activity and rainfall in Southern California.