A coastal flood warning was issued for beaches from Malibu to San Diego on Saturday as Tropical Storm Rachel approached Southern California. Long Beach enforced an evacuation order for some oceanfront residents, while Newport Beach closed its beaches and piers.
Flooding Risks and Precautions
The National Weather Service warned of potential damaging sea-water flooding on vulnerable south-facing beaches, including Long Beach and Malibu. They anticipated that the highest impact along the Orange and San Diego coasts would occur on Sunday morning, coinciding with high tides, swells, and onshore winds. The storm was projected to move onshore in northern Baja California on Saturday night.
Long Beach’s mandatory evacuation covered homes on Seaside Walk between 64th and 66th places, effective from 7 p.m. Friday through noon Tuesday. Officials emphasized that the schedule could change based on weather conditions. Water topped the bulkhead, flooding streets and homes, but prior preparations with pumps helped contain the situation. Emergency repairs to the bulkhead were conducted as conditions allowed, with safety inspectors marking buildings based on damage.
In Newport Beach, continuous flooding led to the closure of all city beaches and piers. The police advised residents to steer clear of these areas. Beaches were closed following a local emergency declaration by Newport Beach due to overnight flooding on the Balboa Peninsula. Efforts included rebuilding berms, opening tide valves, and using pumps, though officials warned that these actions might not prevent all flooding.
Community Reactions and Safety Efforts
Local resident Joe Angelo, living in the Newport Beach area for six decades, expressed surprise at the flooding, having never witnessed such conditions in his 27 years as a homeowner. Sandbags were used to protect homes and businesses along Balboa Boulevard. The hazardous weather conditions didn’t deter visitors, who still gathered at the beach, some watching the waves and others engaging in recreational activities.
Chris Perkins, a resident from Orange County, spent time at the beach with his son to observe the surf and teach safety. In Long Beach, residents obtained sandbags from the fire department to safeguard their properties. Light rain began around noon on Saturday, and the city anticipated further weather impacts.
Huntington Beach also activated its emergency operations center on Friday. Many gathered to watch the high tide waves, and despite previous flooding, some areas managed to remain unaffected on Saturday.
On Friday, the weather service issued a tropical storm watch for much of San Diego County, indicating potential risks.
Environmental Factors and Future Concerns
“This situation is uncommon, resulting from a low-pressure trough and record warm ocean temperatures,” noted Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Inland areas, especially southern San Bernardino County, faced a substantial chance of excessive rain that could lead to flash flooding through Saturday night, according to Julie Phillipson, lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Las Vegas. The primary concern remained the heavy rains and associated flooding.
Deputy Managing Editor Shelby Grad provided additional insights for this report.