Newport Beach, California – The remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel, combined with a separate storm system sweeping the West, have produced dangerous flooding across Southern California’s coast. In Newport Beach, floodwaters have inundated Balboa Boulevard and adjacent streets since Friday.

City declares emergency and mobilizes resources

The City of Newport Beach officially declared a local emergency on Saturday. The declaration enables the city to secure additional resources as crews work to protect homes, property, and public safety. Officials warned that elevated surf and “unusually high ocean water levels” are expected to persist through the weekend, with the highest tides forecast for Sunday.

Beach and pier closures

All city beaches and piers are closed until further notice. Residents were urged to stay away from the shoreline, as flooding and hazardous conditions pose serious safety risks.

Regional response

Nearby coastal communities, including Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, and San Clemente, are distributing sandbags to residents in preparation for additional flooding. In Seal Beach, police closed beach parking lots as a precaution.

The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood warning for Orange County beaches starting at 3 p.m. Sunday, extending through Tuesday afternoon, citing significant flooding and beach erosion risks.

Wider weather impacts

Beyond the coast, the storm’s outer bands brought gusty winds and heavy rain to parts of Southern California and Arizona. Wind gusts exceeded 60 mph in Menifee and Temecula, with up to two inches of rain causing isolated flash flooding and debris flows. A dust storm near Phoenix, Arizona, also reduced visibility to near‑zero.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation, emphasizing public safety and preparedness as the storm’s remnants move inland.

Original reporting: Allentown News – 6abc Philadelphia — read the source article.