Long Beach prepares for flooding from Tropical Storm Rachel

Long Beach officials are preparing for flooding, high surf and erosion from Tropical Storm Rachel after waterfront damage prompted evacuations and access limits on the Peninsula, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.

The storm threat comes as the National Weather Service warned of coastal flooding along Los Angeles County beaches, with vulnerable south-facing beaches in Long Beach and Malibu facing likely ocean flooding, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

Long Beach officials announced storm preparations as Tropical Storm Rachel brought concerns over coastal flooding, tidal surges and erosion, especially along the Peninsula, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.

According to ABC7 Los Angeles, the National Weather Service issued a coastal flood warning for Los Angeles County beaches through 3 p.m. Sunday. The agency said damaging ocean flooding was likely along vulnerable south-facing beaches, particularly in Long Beach and Malibu.

A high surf advisory was set for 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, with waves of 4 to 7 feet expected, ABC7 Los Angeles reported. Morning high tides of 7.3 to 7.6 feet were also expected, and the coastal flood warning could be extended beyond Sunday or replaced by an advisory through Tuesday.

City officials said eight structures in Long Beach had been red-tagged and one had been yellow-tagged, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. An evacuation order was issued for the 6400 and 6500 blocks of Seaside Walk after high surf battered homes.

Long Beach officials said 7,600 sandbags had been distributed for the latest storm, bringing the total during three recent storms to about 15,000, ABC7 Los Angeles reported. Officials also restricted vehicular access to the Peninsula to residents only and had city and fire inspectors evaluating damaged structures.

Mayor Rex Richardson said the city would continue evaluating whether restrictions need to expand as crews work through the weekend, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.