Live updates: Southern California hit by high winds, rain and flooding as Rachel makes landfall
Southern California is experiencing severe weather, including high tides, heavy rain, and strong winds that have caused flooding and coastal erosion. Emergency services have been active in rescuing individuals trapped by rising waters.
Why it matters
This highlights the increasing vulnerability of coastal infrastructure to extreme weather events driven by climate patterns.
Forecasters say Sunday saw the greatest risk from high tides, but Monday and Tuesday mornings will also bring surges that could damage vulnerable, lowing-lying areas in coastal Southern California.
Currently, the most extreme high tides are occurring around 10 a.m., with milder secondary high tides around 11 p.m.
Preliminary readings near Long Beach and Santa Monica measured Sunday morning’s high tide at 7.6 feet, qualifying as minor flooding. The National Weather Service estimated high tides for Monday and Tuesday mornings around 7.5 feet.
The weather service warned that significant beach erosion was likely and noted an increased risk for ocean drownings due to large waves and strong rip currents. The Coastal Flood Advisory for the county is set to lift Tuesday at 2 p.m.
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