Videos circulating online show waves crashing against seawalls and flooding nearby roads as parts of Southern California experience significant coastal flooding ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Rachel. The Peninsula area in Long Beach has been hit particularly hard, with powerful waves damaging coastal structures, eroding beaches, and pushing seawater onto local streets.
In Long Beach, the combination of strong ocean swells and high tides battered the local Peninsula. A protective seawall and boardwalk section approximately 30 feet long sustained damage, allowing seawater to spill over into streets and approach residential properties. Floodwaters reached ankle-deep levels in certain areas, and vehicle access was restricted at spots such as 62nd Place.
City inspectors in Long Beach deemed two buildings housing three residential units unsafe for entry following the incursion. Emergency response crews deployed sandbags and reinforced protective barriers to mitigate further damage, while officials made additional sandbag supplies available to local residents. Authorities caution that high tides could exacerbate flooding and beach erosion, potentially leading to further road closures.
Newport Beach and surrounding areas in Orange County are similarly grappling with hazardous coastal conditions. Officials issued warnings regarding flooding across roads, boardwalks, and parking lots, alongside severe beach erosion and dangerous rip currents. Anticipated wave heights range between 3 and 5 feet, with isolated sets potentially reaching 6 to 7 feet.
Forecasts indicate that the approaching storm was situated hundreds of miles southwest of San Diego and moving in a northeast direction. Projections suggest the system could weaken into a post-tropical system or a remnant low as it nears the California coastline over the weekend. Coastal areas remain vulnerable to persistent flooding, erosion, and hazardous surf, prompting officials to advise residents to monitor local weather updates and steer clear of flooded roadways and hazardous shorelines.