Tropical Storm Rachel Threatens Southern California with Life-Threatening Floods
The National Weather Service has issued stark warnings for torrential rain, dangerous flash floods, and damaging winds as the storm approaches.
Southern California is bracing for potentially life-threatening flash floods, torrential rain, and damaging winds as Tropical Storm Rachel barrels toward the region. The National Weather Service issued a severe warning on Saturday, cautioning that the storm could trigger widespread flooding, necessitate evacuations, and wash out roads and bridges.
"Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across San Diego County," the weather service stated. They further warned that major flooding could force numerous evacuations and rescues, with rivers and tributaries potentially overflowing their banks rapidly. Some structures could become uninhabitable or be washed away, and roads and bridges might be destroyed.
Rain bands began sweeping into Orange and San Diego counties by late Saturday morning, with forecasters anticipating the worst conditions to arrive Sunday. Rachel is expected to dump one to two inches of rain across coastal areas, valleys, and deserts, with higher rainfall totals of two to four inches possible in mountainous regions. "Confidence is high that the heaviest rain will occur over San Diego County mountains and deserts," the NWS warned, adding that "Areas of flash and urban flooding are probable, especially where the maximum rainfall rates occur."
Forecasters have also identified a 40% chance of excessive rainfall causing flash floods in the mountainous and desert areas of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park, and Twentynine Palms. The storm could also bring wind gusts of 39 to 73 mph in some areas, potentially snapping trees, breaking limbs, and toppling fences and signs. Driving could become dangerous on elevated roadways, and scattered power and communications outages are possible.
The heaviest thunderstorms and rainfall are anticipated on Sunday, with gusts of 20 to 45 mph possible in desert areas, according to the National Weather Service. The storm's unusual development is attributed to an emerging El Niño weather pattern and exceptionally warm ocean temperatures off the California coast. Meteorologists note that this confluence of factors is contributing to the storm's intensity and its trajectory toward Southern California.