Heavy waves and coastal flooding continued to wreak havoc in several California coastal communities for a third day, with extreme conditions forcing water rescues, washing away vehicles and injuring some thrilled spectators.
Unusually large waves – often more than 20 feet high – has closed beaches along the California coast and sent devastating floods of water into many beach streets, homes and businesses.
Fire Capt. Brian McGrath told that waves in hard-hit Ventura County rose over sea walls and carried parked cars down the road and across key intersections, blocking first responders’ access. He said all the rooms on the ground floor of a local hotel were also damaged in the flood.
A series of powerful storms moving ashore from the Pacific Ocean have left much of the West Coast from Southern California to Oregon with high water and dangerous surf since Thursday.
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Although the threat to Northern Californians will subside on Saturday, coastal areas of Central and Southern California will continue to be affected by extreme waves, which could reach nearly 25 feet in affected areas.
Some waves hitting California’s Bay Area could reach heights of 40 feet — about the size of a telephone pole — and others are expected to hit 28 to 33 feet.
The southern Oregon coast is also expected to be hit by high waves and strong winds early Saturday. A high wave warning will remain in effect in the area until Saturday morning as waves between 20 to 25 feet are expected.
Curious spectators and excited surfers have been mesmerized by the spectacular surf, but local officials are urging people to stay out of the water and away from beaches due to potentially life-threatening conditions.
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles said, “Beaches, piers, vulnerable ports should not be considered safe.”
Ventura County officials closed all beaches on New Year’s Eve due to 15 to 20 foot high waves hitting the shore by Saturday evening. The county, along with Hermosa, Manhattan and Palos Verdes beaches, faces the most extreme surf on Saturday and is at risk of significant coastal flooding.
“We know the waves look impressive and we understand the desire to come here,” McGrath told TNLA on Friday. “But we are asking people to stay away and stay away from the area for their safety and ours.”
Ventura first responders rescued about 10 people Friday “who thought they were able to navigate that high surf,” the fire captain said. Firefighter Andy VanSciver told that two beachgoers also helped pull a struggling lifeguard out of the water as the lifeguard was trying to get back to shore after rescuing a person near the pier.
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During the first round of severe surf Thursday, about 20 people were swept away by a wave that crashed into a beach barrier filled with spectators in the Pierpont area of Ventura Beach, officials said. Eight injured people were taken to hospital.
“It was terrifying and apocalyptic,” said Colin Hogg, who filmed people trying to escape after high waves hit the barrier. The rapidly rising sea water knocked some people off their feet and hit cars as drivers tried to speed away.
“People were shouting. I ran as fast as I could,” Hogg said.
One of the storms that fueled the waves will also bring rain and wind to California through Saturday.
By Saturday morning, the rain will move inland and into Southern California before weakening over the Rocky Mountains on Sunday.
Further inland, a wintry mix will fall across areas of central and eastern California. More than a foot of snowfall is possible on higher elevation summits and peaks and between 6 and 12 inches of snowfall is possible in lower elevation mountain areas.
