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Newport Beach declares local emergency after high tide from Tropical Storm Rachel floods streets
ABC7 Los Angeles • • general
Key Points:
- Newport Beach declared a local emergency after coastal flooding from Tropical Storm Rachel inundated streets across the Balboa Peninsula, stranding vehicles and damaging homes and businesses.
- Floodwaters surged 15 to 20 blocks, with tides rising 20 inches higher than forecast, causing record-breaking flooding and prompting road closures and a large cleanup effort.
- Residents reported vehicles submerged up to door level and paddleboarders navigating flooded streets, while city crews worked to open tide valves and build sand berms to mitigate further damage.
- The city is preparing for worsening conditions expected Sunday, urging residents to protect properties and move vehicles to higher ground amid ongoing Coastal Flooding Advisory through Tuesday.
- Despite Rachel being hundreds of miles away, its impacts are already severely affecting the Southern California coast, with officials warning of high tides, powerful swells, and rip currents over the weekend.
