San Diego County faces its second tropical storm watch on record as Tropical Storm Rachel approaches, threatening Del Mar, Solana Beach and coastal communities with flooding and high winds.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the watch on Friday, Oct. 9, covering all of San Diego County through Tuesday, Oct. 13. Rain could arrive as early as Saturday night, with tropical storm-force winds of at least 34 mph expected Sunday, Oct. 11, according to The Coast News.
The last time San Diego was under a tropical storm watch was for Hurricane Hilary in August 2023, CNN reported. During that storm, flooding along the San Diego River required swift-water rescues for 13 people, according to Times of San Diego.
Coastal flooding risk
The NWS said "confidence in impactful coastal flooding is high," according to FOX 5 San Diego. Surf is forecast to reach 5 to 7 feet Sunday, with localized sets up to 9 feet.
NWS meteorologist Miguel Miller told KPBS that already high tides, elevated sea levels from El Niño and a separate storm approaching from the north are compounding the threat. "It's kind of like this big building block tower we're building that's just making the water go higher and higher," Miller said.
The National Hurricane Center stated that major coastal flooding had already begun in some areas, with water levels running as much as 1.5 feet above predictions, according to CNN.
What officials are doing
City of San Diego crews are cleaning storm drains, inspecting channels and staging temporary pumps, according to The Coast News. San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) Chief Operating and Safety Officer Kevin Geraghty said the utility is positioning personnel and equipment and monitoring conditions around the clock.
The threat is compounded. San Diego County proclaimed a local emergency on Sept. 30 in preparation for what officials called a potentially historic El Niño season.
Solana Beach preparations
The City of Solana Beach has pre-filled sandbags available at the City Hall parking lot, 635 S. Highway 101, as we reported Friday, Oct. 9. Residents are asked to take no more than seven per household. The city said it will restock sandbags as needed throughout the storm, according to a city notice.
Residents can report storm-related concerns such as flooding, fallen trees and debris through the City of Solana Beach App or by calling the stormwater pollution hotline at (858) 720-4424.
What to expect
The NWS outlined three scenarios for Rachel's track, according to Times of San Diego. The most likely path, at 60% probability, has the storm tracking 50 to 100 miles south of the U.S. border, bringing 0.75 to 1.5 inches of rain to San Diego County.
A 20% scenario has the storm core approaching San Diego directly, raising flash-flood concerns. The remaining 20% has Rachel making landfall far south of the border with lighter rainfall.
Peak wind gusts in lower elevations could reach 25 to 40 mph, with 50 to 70 mph possible in the mountains, according to CNN.
Rachel may not be the last storm this month. Hurricane Simon could bring additional rainfall to the Southwest early next week, according to Times of San Diego.
Safety resources
SDG&E recommends residents secure outdoor items, charge batteries and stock emergency supplies. Downed power lines should be assumed energized and reported to 911 and SDG&E at 800-411-7343. A countywide list of free sandbag locations is available at AlertSanDiego.org, according to the county.
