Storm-driven surf breached a section of the coastal seawall, flooding streets and leaving eight structures unsafe to enter as crews worked to prevent further damage

Powerful waves and high tides damaged homes and streets along the Long Beach Peninsula in California, prompting authorities to order evacuations as dangerous ocean conditions threatened coastal properties.

 

The damage occurred on Friday, October 9, when waves associated with Tropical Storm Rachel battered the coastline and breached an approximately 30-foot (nine-meter) section of the seawall protecting beachfront properties. The breach allowed seawater to surge into nearby streets and residential areas.

 

One of the hardest-hit areas was Seaside Walk, between 64th Place and 66th Place. City inspectors posted red tags on residential buildings deemed unsafe to enter. Another property received a yellow tag, indicating restricted use due to safety concerns.

 

By Saturday, October 10, authorities had red-tagged eight structures across 13 addresses, prohibiting entry because of potential structural hazards.

 

Floodwaters left streets covered in water and sand, while vehicle access was restricted in several locations, including the area around 62nd Place. City crews worked to reinforce the seawall and deployed approximately 1,000 sandbags in an effort to limit further damage as additional large waves threatened the coastline.

 

🌊🇺🇸 CALIFORNIA’S COASTLINE IS TAKING A BEATING! The Pacific Ocean is pushing far beyond its usual boundaries. 📍 Laguna Beach, California — October 10, 2026. Powerful waves and unusually high tides have flooded coastal areas, turning normally picturesque beachfront locations into scenes of chaos. ⚠️ And the worst may not be over. Tropical Storm Rachel, combined with exceptionally warm ocean waters and El Niño conditions, is creating a dangerous combination along Southern California’s coastline. 🌪️ Forecasters warn that additional flooding and destructive surf could hit vulnerable coastal communities. From Laguna Beach to Newport Beach and Long Beach, residents are preparing for another round of dangerous conditions. California’s coastline is facing an extraordinary test from the Pacific. Follow @Xpress_24_7 for more #California #LagunaBeach #StormRachel #ExtremeWeather #BreakingNews https://t.co/rIFYhN43uZ


— XPRESS (@Xpress_24_7) October 11, 2026

 

The situation was compounded by coastal erosion in the preceding weeks, which had exposed portions of the protective structure. Authorities continued to monitor vulnerable sections of the Southern California coastline as high tides and powerful surf increased the risk of further flooding.

 

Officials urged residents to comply with evacuation orders and stay away from damaged sections of the waterfront and seawall.

 

As of reports published Saturday, officials had not released a final estimate of the financial losses. The number of affected structures could change as municipal inspections continue.