Tropical storm “Rachel” is currently approaching the state of California in the United States, bringing strong surges that have caused severe waves and coastal flooding in the coastal areas of Southern California. Meteorological departments predict that this rare storm system will make landfall near the US-Mexico border early on Sunday morning, becoming one of the few tropical storms to land on the US West Coast.
Media reports have indicated that Long Beach, California, has already seen extensive damage to coastal sections of its boardwalk due to the impact of “Rachel.” Large waves have washed away parts of the boardwalk, with seawater pouring into the streets and causing significant damage to many coastal homes.
Meteorologists forecast that dangerous waves and strong rip currents will peak during the high tide period on Sunday morning due to the combination of tide levels and the storm. Some high tide levels may reach close to 7.5 feet (about 2.3 meters) along south-facing beaches from Malibu to Ventura, posing serious flood risks.
The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm watch alert for all of San Diego County near the Mexican border. This marks only the second time in California’s history that such a warning has been issued, underscoring the rarity of this weather event.
Local governments in coastal areas like Long Beach have urgently distributed sandbags to residents living in high-risk communities. Authorities strongly advise the public not to go out to sea or visit beaches for swimming, surfing, or wave-watching during the weekend.
Stay safe and stay updated with the latest news on tropical storm “Rachel” as it continues to impact the region.