Rachel spares Southern California major flooding

Key Points:

• Post-Tropical Storm Rachel made landfall in northern Baja California, causing life-threatening surf, rip currents, and worsening coastal flooding and erosion along Southern California's coast.
• Coastal communities in Los Angeles and Orange counties experienced destructive flooding, with mandatory evacuations in Long Beach and a local emergency declared in Newport Beach due to high tides and flooding.
• Despite fears, major coastal flooding was largely avoided on Sunday, with water levels below record highs and waves less severe than earlier in the storm, though conditions remained hazardous.
• The storm brought significant rainfall to Southern California and nearby regions, including record or near-record totals in Blythe, Las Vegas, and San Diego County, leading to flash flood warnings, road closures, and minor rockslides.
• Wind damage was limited along the coast, but desert areas saw stronger winds and severe thunderstorms, with a low risk of tornadoes from Las Vegas to Phoenix continuing into early afternoon.