Tropical storm watch for San Diego as Rachel nears; coastal flooding hits Newport Beach and Long Beach
This story has been updated: Update: Rachel heads for northern Baja; forecasters expect significant coastal flooding in San Diego Oct. 10, 2026
Oct. 9, 2026 — Tropical Storm Rachel is expected to approach northern Baja California or Southern California late Oct. 10 or early Oct. 11, the National Hurricane Center said. A tropical storm warning covers Baja California's west coast north to the U.S. border, and a tropical storm watch covers the Southern California coast from the border to the San Diego-Orange County line. Swells are likely to bring life-threatening surf and rip currents, and moderate to isolated major coastal flooding into early next week, the center said. Climate scientist Daniel Swain, writing on Weather West, said landfall was most likely south of Tijuana, though a track into San Diego County was possible.
Newport Beach declared a local emergency Oct. 9 after streets on the Balboa Peninsula flooded, Fox LA reported, citing higher-than-normal surf and elevated ocean water levels. In Long Beach, waves broke through a 30-foot section of the Peninsula's bulkhead, two buildings were red-tagged, and crews placed about 1,000 sandbags, the Long Beach Post reported.
Even before Rachel, ocean levels had been running 12 to 18 inches higher than usual, Swain wrote, because of record-warm seawater and a large coastal Kelvin wave. During Hurricane Marie in early September, observed tides at Los Angeles ran nearly a foot above NOAA's predictions, a Long Beach city memo said.
TDD reports on public forecasts; it does not issue forecasts or warnings. For conditions and warnings where you are, follow your local National Weather Service office and emergency officials.
The wall: Rachel's track and landfall were uncertain at publication. Swain did not say what he measured "usual" against.
Tier: Reported (based on the hurricane center's Oct. 9 advisory, Swain's Oct. 9 post, Fox LA, the Long Beach Post and a Long Beach city memo)
Sources
- National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Rachel Advisory 51 (Oct. 9, 2026)
- Weather West (Daniel Swain), Remarkable weather weekend ahead as Tropical Storm Rachel approaches San Diego (Oct. 9, 2026)
- Fox LA, Newport Beach declares local emergency over coastal flooding on Balboa Peninsula (Oct. 9, 2026)
- Long Beach Post, Strong waves severely damage homes, flood streets after breaking through Peninsula's boardwalk (Oct. 9, 2026)
- City of Long Beach, Peninsula Update: Hurricane Marie Response and Next Steps (Sept. 25, 2026)
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