A pier in Long Beach damaged by powerful waves associated with Tropical Storm Rachel. (EPA Images pic)LONG BEACH: Powerful waves thrashed communities along California's southern coast Friday, damaging homes and sending water cascading through streets as residents braced for more potential damage wrought by Tropical Storm Rachel.

The storm system churning in the Pacific was expected to make a rare West coast landfall near the California and Mexico border early Sunday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), packing potential for strong winds and heavy rains that could cause further destruction and coastal flooding.

The powerful surf exacerbated by the morning's high tide slammed into coastal communities, including Long Beach, where significant sections of the boardwalk crumbled under the pounding waves and several homes suffered serious structural damage.