Tropical Storm Rachel to fuel dangerous flash flood threat in the Southwest – ABC News – Breaking News, Latest News and Videos

Tropical Storm Rachel to fuel dangerous flash flood threat in the Southwest  ABC News – Breaking News, Latest News and Videos

Tropical Storm Rachel is making its way to the West Coast and forecasting to bring heavy rain. The storm is headed for landfall over northern Baja California. Tropical Storm Rachel is racing northeast and headed for landfall over northern Baja California on Saturday night. Tropical Storm Warnings are up from San Jose de Las Palomas in Baja California up to the U.S.-Mexico border. Tropical Storm Watches were issued for parts of the southern California coast from the U.S.-Mexico border up to the San Diego-Orange County Line. A level 3 of 4 "moderate risk" of flash flooding is up for parts of southern California, including San Diego and Indio.

Orange County beaches in Southern California were preparing for the impacts through the distribution of sandbags and even the brief closure of entire beaches. The City of Newport Beach on Saturday declared a local emergency in response to coastal flooding, saying all piers were closed until further notice. Earlier, the city had closed its beaches in response to the storm. On Sunday, the flood threat stretches farther into the Southwest. A level 3 of 4 "moderate risk" of flash flooding is up for parts of southern California, northwest Arizona, southern Nevada and southwest Utah. This area includes Las Vegas, San Bernardino, California, the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, and St. George, Utah. Additionally,