Tropical Storm Rachel downgraded as high winds and rain turn inward
Tropical Storm Rachel has been downgraded to a post-tropical storm after causing significant flooding and damage across Southern California. Forecasters warn that the region remains at risk for further flash floods and that this storm may be a precursor to a severe El Niño winter.
Why it matters
The storm highlights the increasing vulnerability of coastal infrastructure to extreme weather events and the proactive measures states are taking to mitigate climate-related disasters.
The National Weather Service said on Sunday that Rachel has been downgraded to a post-tropical storm after causing flooding and damage in southern California over the weekend before moving inland across the desert southwest.
The region is still at risk of flash floods as the storm's remnants were expected to continue dumping rain and bringing wind gusts through the weekend, the weather service said , adding that high surf would continue battering coastal communities.
Oceanfront homes in coastal California cities, such as Long Beach and Newport Beach, were partially submerged as heavy surf breached sand berms that had been erected to keep the water away.
Flood warnings remained in effect for much of the California coastline through the weekend, from San Diego up to the San Francisco Bay area.
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