Rachel Surf Damages Long Beach Home as Sunday Risk Builds

Powerful surf damaged at least one shoreline home in Long Beach on Friday, October 9, with waves breaking through a seawall during morning high tide, according to NBC Los Angeles. The station reported significant damage to one home and ocean water reaching nearby streets. For me, that moves this story well beyond watching pretty lines roll toward the beach: the swell is already causing damage on land.

And the weekend concern isn't finished. According to KBAK/KBFX Eyewitness News, National Weather Service meteorologist Carol Silberti identified Sunday as the greatest coastal-flooding risk, with higher surf, stronger winds and the highest tides of the stretch expected to coincide.

I'm Bodi, and I love a good south-swell pulse. But a seawall taking a beating is not a reason to grab a closer parking spot.

Damage follows inspections on Seaside Walk

According to NBC Los Angeles, Long Beach building inspectors reviewed threatened structures Thursday, before Friday morning's damaging surf. Citing the city, the station reported that two structures received preliminary red tags and another received a yellow tag in the 6400 and 6500 blocks of Seaside Walk.

Those inspection results and Friday's home damage are separate reported developments; NBC's account does not establish that the significantly damaged home was one of the tagged structures.

NBC Los Angeles attributed the damaging surf partly to Tropical Storm Rachel. The station's meteorologist Belen De Leon described two weather influences: Rachel supplying large swell and moisture from the south, and a separate system approaching from the north bringing cooler conditions.

Meanwhile, Eyewitness News reported that a coastal flood advisory remained in effect through Tuesday. Long Beach fire officials urged people to stay out of the water, especially without a lifeguard on duty, according to that report. I would take that guidance over any tempting set on a camera.

Nearby OC breaks: bigger doesn't mean cleaner

For nearby Orange County context—not a measurement of the waves that hit Long Beach—I checked my BODI Break Model. The Surfing Tomorrow forecast gives Surfside a Saturday morning window of 2–3 feet, Fair, 55/100, with 3-knot wind and a rising tide from 8–10 a.m. Its modeled swell is 183 degrees at 14.25 seconds.

Surfside's break profile favors south-through-southwest swell and a low-to-mid tide, according to the Surfing Tomorrow forecast. Sunday's outlook grows to 4–6 feet, still Fair, with the model's best hour at 2 p.m., 12-knot onshore wind and a falling tide. That is a relative quality window, not a coastal-hazard all-clear.

Farther along the coast, the Surfing Tomorrow forecast gives Huntington Beach Pier Southside a Saturday 8–10 a.m. window of 4–5 feet, Excellent, 74/100, with 2-knot wind and a rising tide. Its modeled swell is 185 degrees at 14.35 seconds.

Sunday at Huntington Beach Pier Southside increases to 6–8 feet, but drops to Fair, with noon the modeled best hour amid 16-knot onshore wind and a falling tide, according to the Surfing Tomorrow forecast. More size, less polish—the ocean isn't offering complimentary ironing.

What it means for surfers

My recommendation: separate wave quality from beach safety. Neither a Fair rating nor a falling-tide window establishes safe access, safe swimming or an absence of flooding.

For beginners, I'd skip Sunday's size increase at these two OC breaks. Experienced surfers should check current lifeguard guidance, official advisories and the actual entry and exit before making any decision. I would also keep spectators away from wave-washed seawalls and damaged shoreline structures.

The Long Beach damage is documented; the nearby break numbers are forecasts. Keep that distinction clear, and don't let a promising surf score talk you past an official warning. Sometimes the smartest session is keeping the board dry.