NWS: Tropical Storm Rachel downgraded after flooding and damage hit California
Tropical Storm Rachel was downgraded to a post-tropical storm on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, after dropping heavy rain and causing coastal flooding across southern California, according to the National Weather Service. The storm’s remnants are continuing to push inland toward the desert southwest, leaving communities from San Diego to the San Francisco Bay area under active flood warnings while high surf batters coastal infrastructure.
Oceanfront homes in Long Beach and Newport Beach partially submerged after heavy waves breached temporary sand berms over the weekend. Public works crews in Long Beach began clearing debris along the Alamitos Peninsula on Sunday, while inland areas east of the coast experienced temporary road closures due to rockslides triggered by heavy downpours.
Key Clinical Takeaways:
- Post-tropical storm conditions are maintaining active flood warnings across the California coastline and inland desert regions.
- Emergency preparations statewide include pre-positioning more than 4 million sandbags, 50,000 feet of portable flood barriers, and 400,000 tons of rock.
- Meteorological forecasts anticipate an exceptionally strong El Niño pattern to bring persistent severe weather, heavy rainfall, and potential mudslides through the winter months.
Flooding and Coastal Damage Across California
Coastal communities faced significant inundation as ocean water breached protective barriers erected along the shoreline. In Long Beach and Newport Beach, high surf damaged local boardwalks and pushed water directly against residential structures along the Alamitos Peninsula. Flood warnings issued by the National Weather Service remained in place throughout the weekend across a broad stretch of the California coast, reaching from San Diego up to the San Francisco Bay area. As the storm system tracked inland and northeast, intense precipitation triggered rockslides that temporarily halted traffic on regional roadways.
Rainfall Records and Desert Southwest Warnings
Farther inland, precipitation totals broke daily records as the storm advanced. Las Vegas recorded a new daily rainfall high on Sunday as heavy rain pounded the desert floor. Concurrently, the National Weather Service issued flood watches extending across much of Utah, alerting residents in Salt Lake City and surrounding areas to incoming heavy rainfall.
State Emergency Response and El Niño Projections
State officials are positioning emergency supplies ahead of anticipated severe winter weather. Last month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an emergency proclamation to release funds and resources for infrastructure protection. That means getting flood-fighting supplies into position, bolstering our water infrastructure, and helping communities across the Golden State prepare,
Newsom stated.
State agencies have pre-positioned more than 4 million sandbags, upwards of 50,000 feet of portable flood barriers, and 400,000 tons of rock designated for levee repairs. Crews are also inspecting statewide dams and reinforcing structural pillars supporting beach piers. Forecasters attribute these ongoing severe weather events to what is projected to be the strongest El Niño pattern on record, characterized by hotter-than-average ocean temperatures that threaten to drive record rainfall, explosive surf, and mudslides well into the coming year.
Regional Impact Along the Mexican Coast
The severe weather pattern simultaneously impacted the Pacific coast of Mexico, where Hurricane Simon struck as a Category 4 storm over the weekend. Moving parallel to the coastline approximately 60 miles offshore near Manzanillo, the hurricane prompted Mexican officials to warn residents of heavy damage from intense winds and pounding rains. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged the public to remain indoors while precautionary evacuations to designated safe zones continued.