Remnants Of Tropical Storm Rachel Trigger Flooding And Wildfires In California
- Remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel battered Southern California and Nevada over the weekend, delivering heavy rainfall, storm surges, and coastal flooding that forced emergency declarations and beach closures...
- Coastal communities experienced severe impacts as large ocean swells combined with an El Niño-enhanced Kelvin wave, pushing sea levels to unusual heights, according to ABC News reporting.
- The Los Angeles Times noted that preliminary readings near Long Beach measured Sunday morning's tide at approximately 7.6 feet, with Monday and Tuesday morning tides projected near 7.5...
Remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel battered Southern California and Nevada over the weekend, delivering heavy rainfall, storm surges, and coastal flooding that forced emergency declarations and beach closures in Newport Beach. While National Weather Service forecasters report the worst of the storm has passed Southern California, coastal flood advisories remain in effect for high tides through Tuesday morning, October 13, 2026.
Storm Surges and Coastal Damage in Southern California
Coastal communities experienced severe impacts as large ocean swells combined with an El Niño-enhanced Kelvin wave, pushing sea levels to unusual heights, according to ABC News reporting. Newport Beach declared a local emergency on Saturday, October 10, 2026, shutting down all city beaches and piers as floodwaters inundated Balboa Boulevard and surrounding streets.
The Los Angeles Times noted that preliminary readings near Long Beach measured Sunday morning’s tide at approximately 7.6 feet, with Monday and Tuesday morning tides projected near 7.5 feet. Authorities are investigating whether a man who died at Dockweiler Beach on Sunday morning drowned as a direct result of severe storm conditions.
Record Rainfall and Inland Flooding Across Nevada
As the storm moved inland, its remnants dropped torrential rainfall across Southern Nevada and Arizona. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that the Las Vegas Valley received 1.08 inches of rain from midnight into Sunday morning, breaking the daily record of 0.78 inches set in 2012 and tying the all-time daily record for October set in 1947. Summerlin received upward of 1.5 inches of rain, while Floyd Lamb State Park averaged 2.7 inches, triggering about 10 water rescues by Sunday afternoon.
Flash flood warnings were issued across Southern Nevada, affecting the Spring Mountains, Lake Mead, Red Rock Canyon, and the Las Vegas Valley. In Arizona, outer bands from the storm produced wind gusts exceeding 60 mph in Menifee and Temecula, alongside a dust storm near Phoenix that reduced visibility to near zero, ABC News reported.
El Niño Influence and Climate Factors
Experts attribute the extreme ocean temperatures that fueled Rachel—which peaked as a Category 3 hurricane—to a combination of factors.
Santa Ana Winds and Wildfire Risks Ahead
The Los Angeles Times reported that the weather pattern is poised for a sharp reversal by the end of the week, bringing high temperatures, dry air, and the season’s first Santa Ana winds. Projected to last from Thursday, October 15, through Saturday, October 17, 2026, the incoming weather conditions carry a heightened potential for wildfires across Southern California.