More powerful surf and rain greeted Southern California residents Monday in the aftermath of what was Tropical Storm Rachel, with forecasters warning of continues threats of coastal flooding and damage from high surf, but a major turnaround in the weather is on the horizon.
Rain fell in many areas overnight across the Southland, and additional light showers will remain a possibility into the afternoon, particularly in eastern mountains and foothills, according to the National Weather Service.
But the main concern continued to be along the coast, where powerful surf has already inflicted significant damage on oceanside properties in Long Beach and other areas.
“While the peak timing for the most impactful coastal flooding has passed, there is still a threat of minor to moderate coastal flooding through Tuesday, due to continued high tides and elevated to high surf,” according to the National Weather Service..
Coastal flood warnings were downgraded to advisories Sunday afternoon, with advisories remaining in effect until 2 p.m. Tuesday for beaches in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Morning high tides of 7 to 7.5 feet are expected Monday and Tuesday, with elevated surf gradually subsiding over the next several days, according to the NWS.
The most vulnerable areas include south-facing beaches in Long Beach, Newport Beach and Malibu, where powerful waves and flooding battered waterfront neighborhoods over the weekend.
Long Beach and Newport Beach sustained damage from the high surf, with waves pounding a portion of the Long Beach waterfront and damaging a boardwalk and homes in an area already battered by coastal erosion.
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson announced Saturday evening that eight structures across 13 addresses had been red-tagged and another structure was yellow-tagged. Homes in the 6400 and 6500 blocks of Seaside Walk were placed under a mandatory evacuation order, and people were urged to stay away from the Peninsula between Bay Shore Avenue and 72nd Place and off sand berms built to protect homes.
An evacuation warning was also issued for Peninsula residents on 64th, 65th and 66th places south of Ocean Boulevard and homes in the 6200, 6300, 6600 and 6700 blocks of Seaside Walk. An evacuation advisory was issued for all Naples Island, Treasure Island and Peninsula residents.
In Newport Beach, the city closed the Newport Pier, Balboa Pier and the Wedge, from the rock jetty to M Street, after flooding inundated streets Friday. The closures were intended to protect public safety and prevent damage to protective sand berms.
The weather service urged beachgoers to remain out of the water and warned motorists not to drive through flooded roads or around barricades.
Meanwhile, the remnants of Rachel moved largely out of the region Sunday afternoon, leaving only scattered showers in Los Angeles County.
A sharp upper-level trough moved into California overnight.
“This upper level (trough) will bring additional cooling to the area along with producing chances of showers, and even likely showers for portions of L.A. County thanks to the cyclonic flow aloft and a deep moist layer,” the NWS said.
Forecasters said coastal and valley areas could receive an additional tenth to a quarter-inch of rain, with a quarter-inch to a half-inch possible in Los Angeles County, including the mountains. Higher mountain elevations could receive a couple of inches of snow.
A slight chance of thunderstorms also remains, with forecasters placing the likelihood at about 5% to 10%.
Temperatures will remain well below normal Monday, with highs expected to run 10 to 20 degrees below seasonal averages.
Conditions are expected to dry out beginning Tuesday as the trough moves east and offshore winds develop across Southern California.
Forecasters said strong and gusty northeast winds could develop by Wednesday morning in the usual Santa Ana wind corridors of Los Angeles County, potentially requiring additional wind advisories.
Temperatures will begin climbing Tuesday and Wednesday before a more pronounced warming trend takes hold later in the week, forecasters said.
Weak to moderate Santa Ana winds are possible across Los Angeles County through the weekend, with the strongest winds potentially arriving Friday and Saturday.
By Friday, temperatures could climb to 10 to 20 degrees above normal, with highs reaching well into the 90s in the warmest valleys and coastal areas, according to the NWS.