Orange County communities experienced significant high-tide flooding on Friday, October 9, 2026, as coastal waters surged into streets and structures. The event, which affected areas including Newport Beach and Long Beach, was intensified by Tropical Storm Rachel looming hundreds of miles offshore in the Pacific.
Newport Beach, including what has been called the most expensive ZIP code in America, saw its streets and coastal structures overwhelmed. Along W. Balboa Blvd., cars navigated through seawater that had inundated city roads. The floodwaters transformed parts of the urban landscape, with a skimboarder seen catching a ride near the Balboa Peninsula bike path along W. Oceanfront. Residents were observed navigating the altered environment, with people walking near the coastal floodwaters. One man was seen holding a sign amidst the waters, while two women were observed kayaking through the flooded streets. Greg Wallace was also noted walking out of his rental property directly into the coastal floodwaters.
Further north, Long Beach also bore the brunt of the powerful surf and high tides. Aerial views captured waves battering beachfront houses and crashing into seawalls. The force of the Pacific Ocean waves was evident, with a worker standing nearby as a wave crashed over a seawall next to a home that had sustained damage. The storm surge brought sand onto city streets, necessitating a woman to shovel it away. Residents in Long Beach were seen watching from their homes as the powerful waves impacted the seawall. In response to the encroaching sand, a truck was engaged in moving sand along the boardwalk to shore up the beach.
The severe coastal conditions were primarily driven by high-tide flooding, a phenomenon that was notably enhanced by the presence of Tropical Storm Rachel. While the tropical storm remained hundreds of miles offshore, its influence was substantial. Rachel is currently expected to weaken further before any possible landfall. Despite this expectation, a rare tropical storm watch was issued for parts of Southern California located south of Newport Beach, indicating the potential for further significant weather impacts. The region is also aware of Hurricane Simon, which is threatening Mexico's western coast.
