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Tropical Storm Rachel Brings Flooding and Dangerous Surf to Southern California Coast

Powerful waves and rising tides are flooding streets and damaging coastal properties along Southern California as Tropical Storm Rachel brings dangerous surf to the region.

In Newport Beach, floodwaters submerged parts of Balboa Boulevard and the Balboa Peninsula. Video showed vehicles moving through flooded streets as one cyclist struggled to make it through the water.

Residents said the conditions were a clear sign of the approaching storm, with coastal flooding already affecting the area.

In Long Beach, residents placed sandbags in an effort to protect their homes as powerful surf battered the coastline. Parts of the boardwalk were ripped apart, sending broken pieces of debris into the ocean.

One heavily damaged home has been red-tagged after sections of its siding and roof fell into the water. The structure is now at risk of collapsing entirely.

Officials are urging people to stay away from affected coastal areas as tides continue to rise and dangerous surf threatens additional damage.

By: NBC Palm Springs

October 12, 2026

Tropical Storm RachelSouthern CaliforniaNewport BeachLong Beachcoastal floodinghigh surfstorm surgeBalboa PeninsulaBalboa Boulevardbeach erosiondamaged homesSteve PattersonNBC News
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A Level 3 of 4 threat of flooding rainfall has been issued for parts of Southern California to southern Nevada, southwest Utah and northwest Arizona, including San Diego and Las Vegas.

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BREAKING NEWS: Thalia Hayden and Jerry Steffen break down the latest forecast for Tropical Storm Rachel as it moves through eastern Riverside County Sunday morning. The Coachella Valley could see more than an inch of rain, raising concerns about flooding. The heaviest rainfall is expected from midnight through noon Sunday, with showers tapering off by Sunday evening. Stay with NBC Palm Springs for the latest updates. #TropicalStormRachel #BreakingNews #CoachellaValley #PalmSprings #WeatherAlert FloodWarning SouthernCaliforniaWeather NBCPalmSprings ThaliaHayden JerrySteffen

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🌧️ Tropical Storm Rachel is bringing the threat of heavy rain and flooding to the Coachella Valley. Thalia and Jerry break down the hour-by-hour forecast, with the heaviest rainfall expected from midnight through Sunday morning and more than an inch possible in parts of the Valley. Flood watches and warnings remain a concern, with showers expected to taper off by Sunday evening. Stay weather-aware and stay with NBC Palm Springs for the latest updates! ⛈️ #TropicalStormRachel #CoachellaValley #WeatherAlert #NBCPalmSprings

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🌊 Tropical Storm Rachel is bringing dangerous surf, flooding and destruction to Southern California’s coast. In Long Beach, parts of the boardwalk have been ripped apart, while a badly damaged home is on the verge of collapse. Newport Beach has declared a local emergency after pounding waves flooded at least 10 blocks of the Balboa Peninsula. Officials are urging people to stay away as the threat continues. 🌧️ #HurricaneRachel #SouthernCalifornia #LongBeach #NewportBeach #CoachellaValley

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Tropical Storm Rachel Brings Flooding and Dangerous Surf to Southern California Coast