Long Beach officials are racing to reinforce the city’s exposed coastline before the storm is expected to reach its peak Sunday morning. Eight structures have been marked with red tags indicating they are unsafe, while another has received a yellow tag, city officials said.
The most severe damage is centered on the Alamitos Peninsula, where large waves have slammed into homes, torn up sections of the boardwalk and eroded sand berms installed after earlier flooding.
Crews have brought in heavy-duty sandbags to shore up a bulkhead that is beginning to fail, as authorities caution that the coastal threat may intensify.
“These kinds of impacts are not normal. They’re unprecedented for our community,” Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said. He noted that hundreds of city employees and volunteers have been working around the clock to limit the damage as repeated threats continue to batter the shoreline.
The National Weather Service said Saturday that coastal flooding would remain a danger through Sunday, with the greatest risk expected around the morning high tide, when water levels could approach 8 feet.
“Damaging sea-water coastal flooding is likely through Sunday, especially near the Sunday morning high tide where anticipated tide levels are expected to be around 8 feet,” the agency said in its warning.
Forecasters said south-facing beaches with existing vulnerabilities face the highest risk of serious flooding Sunday morning, specifically pointing to Long Beach and Malibu.
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The latest warning comes after new flooding hit Long Beach and Newport Beach, prompting officials to make emergency preparations as powerful surf continues to threaten Southern California beaches.
“It is not normal that we see this type of activity,” Richardson said. He described Rachel as the third hurricane to affect the area in roughly six weeks, following Hurricane Marie around Labor Day and Hurricane Polo. The storms have brought repeated high tides, heavy surf and ongoing erosion that is damaging homes and other parts of the coast.
An evacuation order is now in effect for the 6400 and 6500 blocks of Seaside Walk, where homes have already sustained significant damage. Richardson said officials will continue monitoring conditions and could enlarge the evacuation area if necessary.
Long Beach has provided residents with 7,600 sandbags ahead of Rachel. That brings the total distributed during the three recent storms to approximately 15,000.
Vehicle access to the Peninsula has also been limited to residents, allowing emergency and public-works crews more room to operate.
“We’ve closed off vehicular access to the Peninsula for residents only,” Richardson said, urging everyone else to avoid the area throughout the weekend so crews can carry out critical shoreline work safely and efficiently.
A coastal flood warning remains in effect for Los Angeles County beaches through 3 p.m. Sunday. The National Weather Service has also issued a high surf advisory, warning of waves between 4 and 7 feet, dangerous rip currents and substantial beach erosion.
Rain is expected to move into Los Angeles and Orange counties Saturday night and continue into Sunday, with additional showers possible through Tuesday. Wind gusts could reach 50 to 60 mph in foothill and mountain communities.
Officials urged residents and visitors to stay away from beaches, coastal paths and flood-prone roads. Drivers were reminded never to bypass barricades or enter floodwater when its depth is uncertain.
