Long Beach storm damage leaves beachfront homes unsafe as residents criticise response

Tropical Storm Rachel damaged homes and coastal infrastructure on Long Beach’s Ocean Boulevard, prompting some residents to accuse city leaders of responding too slowly. The dispute matters because repeated storms and coastal erosion are putting valuable beachfront properties and residents’ safety at risk.

Waves reportedly tore away nearly 30 feet of a century-old boardwalk, flooded streets and homes, and caused one beachfront apartment to collapse. Some houses were marked yellow, allowing brief access to retrieve belongings, or red, meaning they were unsafe to enter. Mayor Rex Richardson declared a local emergency from 8 to 13 October and said the recent storm activity was not normal; homeowner Dennis Poulsen said officials had been warned about coastal risks for years.