Remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel brought heavy rain across parts of Southern California Saturday and into early Sunday.
The system, which was downgraded from a tropical storm to a post-tropical cyclone shortly before moving inland from Baja California into Southern California, also triggered coastal flooding, strong winds and dangerous beach conditions across the region.
Here's what to know about how Rachel's remnants impacted Southern California.
How much rain fell across Southern California
Rachel brought rainfall totals topping 3 inches in the San Diego County mountains, according to preliminary NWS data.
Palomar Mountain recorded 3.99 inches of rain, while Palomar Mountain Observatory saw 3.91 inches over a 24-hour period ending Sunday at 10 a.m., NWS data shows. In Orange County, the
Santa Ana Mountains foothills saw the heaviest rainfall, with Silverado recording 1.33 inches and Modjeska Canyon 1.10 inches.
In the Coachella Valley, the system dropped more than an inch of rain in several desert communities, with Thermal recording a total of 1.71 inches of rain and Palm Springs with 1.16 inches, according to NWS.
Meanwhile, rain totals in the Los Angeles County mountains typically remained about an inch or less, with the highest rainfall total (1.09 inches) recorded at Tanbark in the San Gabriel Mountains, NWS data shows.
Rachel brings flooding concerns, dangerous beach conditions
In addition to the onslaught of rain, Rachel brought flooding concerns, strong winds, and dangerous beach conditions to Southern California.
A flood watch remains in effect for portions of Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego County through Sunday evening. A flood watch is issued “when conditions are favorable for flooding,” according to NWS.
“It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible,” the NWS says.
With high tides of 7 to 7.5 feet, Southern California beaches continue to face hazardous conditions, including high surf, dangerous rip currents and coastal flooding.
Coastal cities hit hard by destructive waves
Rachel, along with other recent hurricane systems and ongoing El Niño-driven ocean conditions, has generated destructive waves along the Southern California coast, leaving some communities dealing with severe flooding and damage to coastal infrastructure.
The city of Long Beach on Sunday said significant damage was reported between 64th and 66th places along Seaside Walk, the city's wooden oceanfront boardwalk on the Long Beach Peninsula, after large swells generated by Rachel and other recent hurricanes pounded the shoreline.
"There'll be a difficult next few days," Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said in an Instagram video. "There'll be impacts not just to the Peninsula but citywide."
A mandatory evacuation order was issued the evening of Friday, Oct. 9, and remains in effect for some homes between the 64th and 66th blocks of Seaside Walk, while an evacuation warning was issued the next day for residents on 64th, 65th and 66th Places south of Ocean Boulevard, as well as homes in the 6200, 6300, 6600, and 6700 blocks of Seaside Walk, according to the city's website.
The city late last month declared a local emergency in response to the "impacts from Hurricane Marie and the imminent and proximate threats of the developing 2026-27 El Niño weather pattern and winter storm season."
Meanwhile, Newport Beach declared a local emergency Friday after the city’s coast and streets flooded as Tropical Storm Rachel approached the area. Video shared by the city shows fast-moving water rushing through the roadways.
Southern California forecast heading into next week
Forecasters predict the heaviest rain from Rachel has passed in Southern California.
Conditions in the area are forecast to improve Sunday afternoon and into the evening as Rachel moves north. However, a separate weather system is forecast to bring light rain Monday, with snow possible above about 8,000 feet in the mountains. Deserts are expected to see less than 0.05 inches of rain from this system.
NWS predicts drier conditions to return to Southern California starting Tuesday, with temperatures beginning to trend upward later in the week.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: SoCal sees heavy rain, coastal flooding from Rachel remnants
