Record-Breaking Pacific Storms Bring Unprecedented Flooding and Damage to California
California is enduring an exceptionally active and destructive 2026 Pacific hurricane season, marked by the second-ever tropical storm watch for Southern California. Tropical Storm Rachel, which weakened to an extratropical cyclone before hitting Baja California, caused significant coastal damage, high tides, and heavy rainfall across the region from October 9 to 11. The storm dumped over 6 inches of rain in parts of Southern California, with San Diego receiving double its typical October precipitation, leading to flash flooding in normally arid areas. This event follows a season where three hurricanes impacted Hawaii and Hurricane Marie damaged oceanfront homes near Los Angeles in September. Experts attribute the increased risk to El Niño, which warms sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific, allowing storms to survive closer to the California coast. While direct landfalls are rare, the 2026 season highlights the growing threat of extreme weather in the Southwest due to changing climate patterns.
