Triple threat: Tropical Storm Rachel, Kelvin wave, high tides combined to batter SoCal coast
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Set us as preferred The coastal flooding that damaged homes and flooded roads this week from Newport Beach to Long Beach came from a highly unusual combination of events that underscores the challenges California is facing amid predictions of a “super” El Niño winter.The flooding was extraordinary, and scientists said they show how the approaching Tropical Storm Rachel, along with high tides, a record-hot ocean and El Niño-fueled waves, can overwhelm coastal areas.“The combination of high tides, Kelvin wave, hurricane waves — and then a whole summer worth of that? This is unprecedented,” said Jonathan Warrick, a research geologist with the U.S.Geological Survey.
“And this is what we got to look forward to in the future,” with a long El Niño season ahead, and the possibility of a relentless parade of winter storms and king tides during the holiday season.The center of Rachel was expected to move onshore in northern Baja California on Saturday night.Its San Diego office said Sunday morning would carry the highest flooding risks along Orange County and San Diego coast as swells, onshore winds and high tides combine.
High tide on Sunday morning is at 9:43 a.m.in La Jolla and 9:48 a.m.
in Newport Beach.California Long Beach ordered some Peninsula residents to evacuate and Newport Beach temporarily closed its beaches and piers as Tropical Storm Rachel neared Southern California.
A National Weather Service coastal flood warning covers Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego county beaches through Sunday.Warrick and others say this week’s events could offer clues to next season.“I won’t say 100% sure we’re going to see this this winter, but this is a type of thing we may see a lot more of this winter,” Warrick said.“And then looking forward into the coming decades with continued sea level rise, this is exa...