Massive Waves and Coastal Flooding Strike California for Third Consecutive Day
California's coastal communities are facing a third day of chaos due to massive waves and coastal flooding. The extreme conditions, with surf often exceeding 20 feet, have led to beach closures and have caused water rescues, car washaways, and injuries to onlookers.
In Ventura County, the impact has been particularly severe. Waves crashing over seawalls have carried parked cars into major intersections, obstructing emergency response routes, as reported by fire captain Brian McGrath to CNN affiliate TNLA. Additionally, a local hotel suffered extensive damage due to flooding in its ground-floor rooms.
The West Coast, stretching from Southern California to Oregon, has been under siege since Thursday due to a series of powerful storms from the Pacific Ocean. The resulting high water and dangerous rip currents have prompted warnings and advisories.
While Northern California may see some respite on Saturday, Central and Southern California will continue to endure extreme surf, with some waves predicted to reach about 25 feet. In the Bay Area, waves could peak at an astonishing 40 feet. Southern Oregon’s coast is also expected to experience strong surf and high winds, with waves between 20 and 25 feet anticipated through Saturday morning.
Authorities have been urging the public to avoid beaches and coastal areas due to the life-threatening conditions. Ventura County has gone so far as to close all beaches through New Year's Eve, citing the significant risk posed by the 15- to 20-foot waves.
Despite the dangers, the dramatic surf has attracted both spectators and surfers. Fire Captain McGrath emphasized the importance of staying away from these areas for both public and responder safety.
An evacuation warning was issued earlier for some Ventura County residents near the Pacific Coast Highway due to the high surf but was later lifted on Saturday afternoon. Ventura first responders rescued about 10 people on Friday, and two beachgoers assisted a lifeguard in rescuing another person near a pier.
The first round of severe surf on Thursday led to nearly 20 people being swept away by a wave in Ventura Beach’s Pierpont area. Eight individuals were hospitalized following the incident. One witness described the scene as "terrifying and apocalyptic."
In addition to the coastal impact, one of the storms is bringing rain and wind to California through Saturday. The precipitation will shift inland across Southern California, weakening over the Rocky Mountains on Sunday. Central and eastern California will experience a wintry mix, with significant snowfall expected in high elevation areas.