Tropical Storm Rachel downgraded as high winds and rain turn inward

Forecasters say the storm, which brought heavy rain and coastal flooding, is a preview of what may be in store as California braces for a possibly record-setting El Niño.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8192x5464+0+0/resize/8192x5464!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7f%2Fd1%2F5d7cdecb4c40a6daa08394941431%2Fap26284751363826.jpg' alt='Long Beach Public Works workers clean up along Alamitos Peninsula in Long Beach, Calif. that was affected by Tropical Storm Rachel, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026.'/><p>Forecasters say the storm, which brought heavy rain and coastal flooding, is a preview of what may be in store as California braces for a possibly record-setting El Niño.</p><p>(Image credit: Jill Connelly)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=nx-s1-5998124' />