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Flood advisory issued for Southern California as Tropical Storm Rachel nears

By Drooid · Oct 10, 2026, 3:36 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

U.S. Officials Activate Advisory

U.S. officials activated a flood advisory as Tropical Storm Rachel produced 6-foot swells in Southern California.
National Weather Service warned tides could reach 7.5 feet Saturday and nearly 8 feet Sunday morning.
Long Beach fire department offered thousands of sandbags, limiting each vehicle to ten bags.
Emergency crews readied pumps and reinforced berms while lifeguards warned of dangerous rip currents.

Summary

NHC Issues Storm Watch

The National Hurricane Center issued the first tropical storm watch for Southern California since Hilary’s 2023 remnants.
Storm Rachel’s maximum sustained winds reached 70 mph 895 miles west of Baja’s tip.
Forecasts call for 0.5–2 inches of rain on the coast and up to 4 inches in mountains if the storm shifts north.
Temperatures will drop 5–15 °F below average, ending the Southwest’s week-long heat wave.

History

Historical Context

California’s flood risk traces back to the 1939 Long Beach tropical storm that killed 45 people and the 1976 Hurricane Kathleen, which delivered over 10 inches of rain, caused $160 million in damage and 12 deaths. The National Hurricane Center’s first California tropical-storm watch in 2023 precedes today’s Rachel watch, prompting Long Beach firefighters to lay thousands of sandbags.

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U.S. Officials Activate Advisory

U.S. officials activated a flood advisory as Tropical Storm Rachel produced 6-foot swells in Southern California.
National Weather Service warned tides could reach 7.5 feet Saturday and nearly 8 feet Sunday morning.
Long Beach fire department offered thousands of sandbags, limiting each vehicle to ten bags.
Emergency crews readied pumps and reinforced berms while lifeguards warned of dangerous rip currents.

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