Rachel Threatens Southwest With Flash Flooding

Tropical Storm Rachel is moving northeast toward landfall over northern Baja California, threatening Southern California and a broader area of the Southwest with dangerous flash flooding. Forecasters have issued tropical storm alerts along the Mexico-California border and identified communities across California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah facing an elevated flood risk.

According to ABC News, a Level 3 of 4 moderate flash flood risk covers parts of Southern California, including San Diego and Indio. Tropical Storm Warnings extend from San Jose de Las Palomas in Baja California to the U.S.-Mexico border, while Tropical Storm Watches cover parts of the southern California coast northward to the San Diego-Orange County Line.

The threat is expected to expand on Sunday, when the moderate flash flood risk will extend across parts of Southern California, northwest Arizona, southern Nevada, and southwest Utah. Areas within the affected region include Las Vegas, San Bernardino, California, Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, and St. George, Utah, according to ABC News.

Rainfall across portions of the interior Southwest could reach 1 to 3 inches over 48 hours. Mountainous areas are expected to receive the highest totals, and isolated locations could record more than 3 inches, increasing the potential for flash flooding.

Along the Southern California coast, communities have taken precautionary measures as the storm approaches. Orange County beaches have been preparing for coastal impacts through sandbag distribution, while some beaches have temporarily closed.

Newport Beach declared a local emergency on Saturday in response to coastal flooding, according to the city. Officials also closed all piers until further notice after previously restricting beach access because of the storm.

The coastal preparations accompany the broader inland flood threat, with forecasters identifying multiple population centers and remote areas across the Southwest as vulnerable to heavy rainfall. The storm's expected landfall over northern Baja California places both coastal communities and inland mountainous regions within the area of concern.