Rachel’s Surf Damages Long Beach Homes, Triggers Evacuations

Tropical Storm Rachel’s powerful surf damaged homes and coastal infrastructure on Long Beach’s Alamitos Peninsula, prompting evacuations, building restrictions and emergency work as officials warned that flooding could worsen through Sunday. Long Beach officials said waves overtopped the bulkhead and sent water into homes and streets. Inspections recorded eight red-tagged buildings across 13 addresses and at least one yellow-tagged building, Mayor Rex Richardson said Saturday. A red tag means a building is unsafe to enter; a yellow tag restricts its use. Earlier on Friday, the city had reported two red tags and three yellow tags as inspections continued. A mandatory evacuation order took effect at 7 p.m. Friday for homes on Seaside Walk between 64th and 66th places and was set to run through noon Tuesday. City officials said the timing could change with conditions. Long Beach also restricted vehicle access to the Peninsula to nonresidents, with additional street closures starting at 62nd Place. Crews were making emergency repairs to the bulkhead when conditions allowed and bracing damaged sections of the bulkhead and pedestrian boardwalk with timber and sandbags.