Rachel Floods Newport Beach as California Prepares for Stronger Waves

Powerful ocean swells and unusually high tides associated with Tropical Storm Rachel inundated streets on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, California, on Friday, October 9, 2026, flooding vehicles and threatening coastal homes. The surge arrived during the morning high tide, prompting city officials to warn residents and motorists to avoid affected roads as additional flooding threatened Southern California.

According to KTLA, floodwaters spread across an approximately 2-mile stretch of the peninsula after large waves pushed seawater as far as two blocks inland. Water reached knee height in some locations, leaving vehicles stranded in the streets. The full extent of damage to homes remained unknown, and authorities reported no injuries.

Newport Beach officials warned that vehicles traveling through flooded streets could force more water into nearby properties along Balboa Boulevard, Bay Avenue and surrounding roads. The city urged motorists to take alternate routes, exercise caution and follow public safety instructions.

The city also issued a travel warning on social media Friday morning, advising residents and motorists to stay away from the Balboa Peninsula because of storm-related flooding and elevated tides.

City officials stated, "Do not drive through flooded streets. Use alternate routes, exercise caution and follow directions from public safety personnel."

Officials also requested that people avoid unnecessary travel until conditions improve. City crews were monitoring water levels and responding to affected areas as the flooding began to recede in some residential neighborhoods.

Residents described a rapid influx of seawater as the morning tide peaked. Diana Baker, who lives in the northern part of the peninsula, told KTLA, "Wild. The street was flooded, foamy, dirty ocean water just coming through, probably ankle-high and just rushing in because high tide was in,"

Baker's account described the initial surge, when water moved quickly from the shoreline into residential streets. Another resident, Jo Ann Lopez, told KTLA, "I haven't seen it like this, ever."

The flooding comes as coastal communities across Southern California face additional damage from Rachel-driven waves. On the Long Beach Peninsula, large sections of a boardwalk broke apart Friday morning, with debris washing into the ocean. One nearby home sustained significant structural damage and was left close to collapsing, according to KTLA.

Forecasts indicate that the coastal threat could intensify Sunday night into Monday. KTLA meteorologist Henry DiCarlo said several weather and ocean conditions could combine to produce stronger waves.

DiCarlo said, "Sunday night into Monday, we're going to see even stronger waves coming in. We have the swells from Rachel, we have the high tide, and then we're getting that Kelvin wave that we talk about … What will make it worse is that Sunday into Monday you have all three of those ingredients again, but we're going to add a fourth. We're going to get an area of low pressure that's tracking from northern California. That is going to increase the wind."

The National Weather Service forecast high tides reaching approximately 6.5 to 7 feet during morning and evening periods. Its coastal flood advisory for Orange County was scheduled to remain in effect through 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 13, and warned of dangerous rip currents. Rain was also expected from Saturday night through Monday night or early Tuesday, potentially worsening flooding on the low-lying peninsula.

Newport Beach has been undertaking coastal protection measures following persistent erosion and high surf during the summer. According to SFGate, those efforts include replenishing sand, building large beach berms to limit wave impacts and keeping flood channels clear ahead of an anticipated strong El Niño winter.

Meanwhile, Rachel's remnants were forecast to move inland toward Arizona and Utah, where a separate combination of tropical moisture and a Pacific Northwest weather system could produce heavy rainfall through the following week.

The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City meteorologist Hayden Mahan told KSL that the expected precipitation could improve soil moisture across drought-affected parts of Utah, although flooding remained a concern.

Mahan said, "Obviously, the potential for flooding is not anything we want to see, but in terms of the moisture, it's a great time to get our soil moisture healthy,"

KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson said the interaction between Rachel and the approaching low-pressure system could bring widespread rainfall beginning Saturday and continuing into the following week.

Johnson said, "We are talking about the potential for heavy rain with this,"

Forecast models updated Friday indicated that some Utah mountain areas could receive 1 to 3 inches of precipitation or more by Wednesday night. The Wasatch Front could receive 0.75 to 1.5 inches or more, while the Cache Valley could see at least 2 inches in some locations. Actual totals would depend on Rachel's path and the movement of the accompanying weather system.

Johnson said, "With each model run we see, it's kind of flip-flopping back and forth because it's a very finite detail of where Rachel goes, and that will determine where the heaviest rain will fall,"

Mahan warned that the anticipated rainfall could create flash-flood risks in slot canyons, normally dry washes, slickrock areas, recent burn scars and urban locations. Officials had discussed whether to issue a flood watch ahead of the storm, with Sunday and Monday identified as periods of particular concern.

Mahan said, "We're going to have to keep an eye on places like urban areas and even main stem rivers that could see a lot of water and potentially flash flooding issues,"

Despite the risks, additional moisture could benefit Utah's longer-term water supply. KSL reported that more than 75% of the state remained in severe or extreme drought, while mountain snowpack typically accounts for approximately 95% of Utah's water supply.

Mahan said, "(It's) definitely important,"

The National Weather Service continued monitoring the storm's projected path as coastal flooding threatened Southern California and the potential for heavy rain expanded across the interior West.