Long Beach Boardwalk Collapses Further as Third Storm Tests Coastal Resilience

Key points

• The Long Beach boardwalk collapsed further between 64th and 65th Place on Sunday due to heavy surf from Tropical Storm Rachel.
• Nine buildings along Seaside Walk were red-tagged as unsafe, and one was yellow-tagged, with mandatory evacuations remaining for homes in the 6400 and 6500 blocks.
• The damage is cumulative, resulting from three major storm systems (Hurricanes Marie and Polo, and Tropical Storm Rachel) within six weeks, which officials describe as unprecedented.
• Permanent repairs to the bulkhead and boardwalk are estimated to cost between $1.5 million and $3.6 million, funded by the city's Tidelands Emergency Reserves.
• The city is using 3,000-pound sandbags and portable pumps for emergency repairs, with plans to bring 50,000 to 100,000 cubic yards of sand to reinforce the peninsula next week.

Background

This event is part of a series of coastal impacts in Southern California since early September 2026. Hurricane Marie initially breached the seawall and damaged the boardwalk, triggering evacuations and flooding. Subsequent storms, including Hurricane Polo and Tropical Storm Rachel, have compounded the damage. The region is also experiencing an early El Niño, which officials warn could lead to increased flooding and erosion this winter. Earlier coverage noted that the cumulative damage presents a unique challenge for emergency response and long-term infrastructure planning.

How outlets are covering it

The Los Angeles Times emphasizes the cumulative nature of the damage and the need for long-term climate-resilient infrastructure, quoting Mayor Rex Richardson on the 'unprecedented' cadence of storms. NBC Los Angeles focuses on the immediate emergency response, detailing the lifting of broader evacuation advisories while mandatory orders remain for specific blocks, and the use of sandbags and pumps. The Las Vegas Review-Journal and KSNV, while covering the same storm system (Rachel), focus on flash flooding in Las Vegas, highlighting the widespread impact of the storm across different regions, though these are not directly related to the Long Beach coastal damage.

Why it matters

The repeated damage to the Long Beach boardwalk and coastal homes underscores the vulnerability of historic infrastructure to increasing storm frequency and intensity, likely exacerbated by El Niño. The significant cost of repairs and the need for emergency measures highlight the financial and logistical challenges faced by coastal cities in adapting to climate change. The situation also raises questions about the adequacy of current coastal protections and the need for proactive investment in resilient infrastructure to prevent further damage and protect residents.

What to watch

The city expects to complete permanent repairs to the bulkhead and boardwalk by the end of 2026. Crews plan to bring 50,000 to 100,000 cubic yards of sand to reinforce the peninsula between 62nd and 70th places next week. The Alamitos Bay Entrance Channel Dredging Project, which will widen the beach by about 200 feet, is set to begin in the week of October 19. Officials will continue to monitor coastal homes and adjust emergency measures as needed, particularly given the potential for additional storms due to El Niño.