Newport Beach declared a local emergency after Tropical Storm Rachel's powerful swell flooded an estimated 15 to 20 blocks on the Balboa Peninsula, sending seawater pouring through streets and beachfront neighborhoods.
City Manager Seimone Jurjis declared the emergency to free up extra pumps, sandbags and response resources as the coastal flooding swamped roads and threatened homes. Residents in low-lying areas were urged to take precautions as high surf and elevated tides combined with the storm surge.
The flooding marks one of the most disruptive coastal events of the season for Orange County, with water overtopping seawalls and inundating intersections across the peninsula. Crews worked through the weekend to clear drains, deploy barriers and keep emergency routes passable.
Forecasters had warned that the remnants of Rachel would bring dangerous surf and heavy rain to the Southern California coast this weekend, with advisories stretching across Los Angeles and Orange counties. Officials say the emergency declaration will speed state and federal assistance if damage assessments warrant it.
