Tropical Storm Rachel: Long Beach evacuated, Newport Beach closes beach

Key Points:

• Tropical Storm Rachel prompted a coastal flood warning from Malibu to San Diego, with Long Beach enforcing mandatory evacuations for some oceanfront residents and Newport Beach closing its beaches and piers due to flooding risks.
• The National Weather Service warned of damaging sea-water flooding on vulnerable south-facing beaches, particularly Long Beach and Malibu, with the storm expected to impact Orange and San Diego coasts most severely Sunday morning.
• Long Beach experienced waves breaching bulkheads, flooding homes and streets, leading to building inspections and restricted access, while Newport Beach declared a local emergency and implemented flood mitigation measures like berm rebuilding and pump operation.
• Despite warnings, some residents and visitors continued to observe and enjoy the high surf, with emergency services distributing sandbags and cities like Huntington Beach activating emergency operations centers to manage the situation.
• Climate experts noted the unusual severity of the event, linking it to a rare combination of an early low-pressure trough and record-warm ocean temperatures off California, while inland areas faced risks of heavy rain and flash flooding through Saturday night.