Climate & Environment
Tropical Storm Rachel Leaves Southern California with Flooding, Waves and Structural Damage
Southern California coastal communities are recovering after a weekend of extreme weather that flooded streets and sent powerful waves crashing into beachside homes. The remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel struck Mexico’s Baja California, southern California and Las Vegas. Although meteorologists noted that Rachel weakened into a post‑tropical cyclone before reaching California, it still caused significant damage. Footage showed large waves hitting Long Beach homes, destroying a boardwalk and forcing residents to evacuate. The damage to homes was substantial, with at least nine deemed unsafe to enter, according to the Long Beach Post, preventing displaced residents from retrieving personal items. The storm has depleted more than $1 million from the city’s emergency reserves. Further south, Newport Beach declared a local emergency and temporarily closed piers to protect public safety, citing higher‑than‑normal surf that flooded streets. By Monday, cleanup was underway and the piers had reopened, though officials urged caution near the water. In Las Vegas, a torrent of water swept across a street near the Strip, and the city set an all‑time daily rainfall record for October with 1.08 in (2.74 cm) of rain by Sunday morning, according to the U.S. National Weather Service. The extreme weather is linked to a strong El Niño that is intensifying Pacific storms. The last five Pacific hurricanes reached major status with winds of at least 111 mph (178.6 km/h), and one set a record for time spent at Category 5. Colorado State University researcher Phil Klotzbach, who forecasts and studies storm activity, told the Associated Press that the last month has been “berserk.” He added, “This year, just everything that forms is just lasting a long time and getting really powerful.” California is preparing for a challenging winter with severe storms, as NOAA models suggest a high chance of a historic El Niño that could bring heavy rain, landslides and destructive high tides. The state is expected to be significantly affected, with broader impacts worldwide, including temperature spikes and rising global food prices.