# Tropical Storm Rachel downgraded as it moves inland

> Rachel was downgraded to a post-tropical storm after flooding California's coast, with forecasters warning of record El Niño conditions ahead.
- Title: Tropical Storm Rachel downgraded as it moves inland · NPR
- Summary: Rachel was downgraded to a post-tropical storm after flooding California's coast, with forecasters warning of record El Niño conditions ahead. Tropical Storm…
- Keywords: tropical storm rachel, california, flooding, long beach, el niño, weather, news, Tropical, Storm, Rachel, downgraded, moves
- Source: NPR — https://npr.org/2026/10/11/nx-s1-5998124/tropical-storm-rachel-downgraded-as-high-winds-and-rain-turn-inward
- Published: 2026-10-11T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: tropical storm rachel, california, flooding, long beach, el niño, weather, news
## Rachel downgraded after coastal damage
The National Weather Service downgraded Rachel to a post-tropical storm on Sunday after it caused flooding and damage across southern California over the weekend.
## Oceanfront homes partially submerged
Heavy surf breached sand berms protecting oceanfront homes in Long Beach and Newport Beach, partially submerging them as the storm battered the coast.
## Storm moves inland, spreading damage
As Rachel moved inland and northeast, rockslides temporarily blocked roads. Las Vegas broke a daily rainfall record on Sunday, and the National Weather Service issued a flood watch for much of Utah.
## Record El Niño expected this winter
Forecasters warned Rachel could preview stronger storms ahead. They expect the strongest El Niño weather pattern on record this winter, bringing record rainfall, explosive surf and mudslides well into next year.
## California prepares for severe weather
California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an emergency proclamation last month. The state is pre-positioning more than four million sandbags, more than fifty thousand feet of portable flood barriers and four hundred thousand tons of rock…

> That means getting flood-fighting supplies into position, bolstering our water infrastructure, and helping communities across the Golden State prepare.
## Key takeaway

Tropical Storm Rachel was downgraded to a post-tropical storm on October eleventh after causing flooding and damage across southern California before moving inland.