Tropical Storm Rachel drives damaging surf along Southern California
Large waves hit Southern California communities, damaging homes and crumbling parts of the Long Beach boardwalk. Tropical Storm Rachel was forecast to make a rare West Coast landfall near the California-Mexico border early Sunday. Officials warned of continued coastal flooding and high tides over the weekend.
Rachel weakened from hurricane status before becoming a tropical storm, yet forecasters still expected winds near 45 mph with stronger gusts. It was projected to reach shore close to the California–Mexico boundary early Sunday, prompting a rare tropical storm watch across San Diego County.
Morning high tides above seven feet were anticipated, and sandbags had already been given to exposed residents. This season’s extreme El Niño has reduced wind shear over the Pacific, helping storms intensify; a broad Kelvin wave may also lift West Coast sea levels.
Coastal residents and homeowners in Long Beach, Malibu, and San Diego County may face property damage, displacement, and disrupted travel. Local agencies could spend resources on sandbags, road closures, and emergency warnings. If flooding persists, businesses reliant on beach tourism might see lost revenue, while vulnerable populations near the shore could confront safety risks. The storm’s rare West Coast path may also strain preparedness systems unaccustomed to tropical systems.