Full Breakdown
Tropical Storm Rachel Triggers Unprecedented Coastal Flooding in Southern California
By Drooid · · How we work
Storm Surge and Evacuations on the Long Beach Peninsula
Large waves from the post-tropical remnants of Rachel slammed into the Long Beach peninsula, breaching the seawall and flooding streets and homes. City officials red-tagged 13 residences and yellow-tagged one, requiring occupants to prepare for evacuation. A mandatory evacuation order for homes on Seaside Walk between 64th and 66th Place took effect Friday evening and remained in force through Tuesday.
Background: El Niño, Kelvin Wave, and Unusual Storm Path
Scientists cite three factors: a “very strong” El Niño winter, a warm-water Kelvin wave that raised sea levels 6–12 inches, and Rachel’s storm surge. Research geologist Jonathan Warrick called the combination “unprecedented.”
Timeline of Key Actions
- Friday night – Evacuation order issued for Seaside Walk.
- Saturday morning – High tide reached ~7.8–8 ft, overtopping the bulkhead.
- Saturday afternoon – City placed thirty 3,000-lb sandbags on the damaged bulkhead.
- Saturday evening – Over 11,000 sandbags distributed to residents.
- Sunday – Forecast high tide similar; city urged residents to keep sandbags on hand.
Impact Data
- Red-tagged homes: 13; Yellow-tagged: 1.
- Sandbags distributed: >11,000.
- Heavy-duty sandbags on bulkhead: 30.
- Observed water levels: Up to 1.5 ft above forecast (NHC).
- Wave heights: 6–9 ft; surf up to 8 ft at Long Beach.
- Rainfall: Light to moderate; isolated 1 in in desert valleys.
Official Statements & Responses
Long Beach Fire Chief Dennis Buchanan said crews placed and distributed more than 11,000 sandbags and urged residents to assemble “go bags.” Assistant Chief Jake Heflin noted monitoring of both the peninsula and low-lying neighborhoods.
On-the-Ground Reports
Long Beach resident Stacey Sniezak, a 45-year peninsula veteran, described the scene as “heartbreaking,” with a boardwalk home cracked from foundation to roof. Newport Beach homeowner Joe Angelo said he had never seen water on the sand in his 27 years there. Residents reported sandbag lines stretching for blocks and sections of the historic boardwalk becoming inaccessible.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources agree tide heights approached 7.8–8 ft, but measurements vary (some cite 7.5 ft, others 8 ft). No definitive post-event tide gauge data have been released.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The combination of high tides, Kelvin wave, hurricane waves — and then a whole summer worth of that? This is unprecedented,” — Jonathan Warrick
- “This is a sobering reminder of the power of nature,” — Long Beach Mayor Rex
- “We've seen so much damage and we expect even more,” — Dennis Buchanan
- “Monitor the potential impacts on either the peninsula on the bay side, potentially with Naples, and so we've done a lot of work with the National Weather Service to make sure we're being very mindful of that,” — Jake Heflin
- “We want to remind residents this weekend the weather is going to change so if you are in the low lying areas, any area that has been impacted by flooding before, come and grab some sandbags,” — Melanie Miller