Tropical Storm Floods Newport Beach, Southern California Braces for Landfall

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Severe flooding hit homes and businesses in Newport Beach on Friday as Tropical Storm Rachel approached Southern California, prompting a Tropical Storm Watch from the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center. This marks California’s second-ever tropical storm watch, a rare occurrence due to the historically strong El Niño weather pattern that has made the Eastern Pacific unusually warm this year.

Historic Landfall and Forecasted Impact

The last time a tropical storm made landfall in Southern California was in 1939, according to AccuWeather. Rachel was a Category 2 hurricane earlier this week but has since been downgraded to a tropical storm as it moves through the Eastern Pacific. Forecasters predict it will make landfall in San Diego late Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Coastal Flooding and Social Media Evidence

The storm’s large swells and high tides have caused significant flooding in coastal cities across Orange County, including Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and Huntington Beach. Long Beach is also experiencing powerful waves and coastal flooding. Social media videos show oceanfront homes at Newport’s famous break, The Wedge, submerged in water. Dramatic footage captures streets turning into rivers as cars navigate flooded neighborhoods, with some vehicles fully submerged in the ocean water on Newport’s Balboa Peninsula.

Preparation and Response

Residents and local authorities are preparing for the storm’s impact, with emergency services working to mitigate damage and ensure public safety. The National Weather Service continues to monitor the storm’s progress, providing updates and advisories to affected communities.

Source: The Gateway Pundit

Written by

claire.thomson