Large Dangerous Swells Predicted for Southern California
TL/DR –
The National Weather Service has warned Californians about another round of extremely dangerous surf conditions due to Pacific storms, expected to hit on Saturday. This warning comes after eight people were hospitalized due to a rogue wave incident at Pierpont in Ventura, leading to the closure of beaches, piers, and harbors until the end of the year. According to the L.A. Weather Office, powerful cyclones over the northern Pacific are whipping up 12-17ft swells, leading to a significant risk of coastal flooding, especially given the astronomical high tides.
High Surf and Coastal Flooding Expected to Hit Already Battered Californian Coast
The National Weather Service cautions of a fresh bout of precarious surf conditions expected to return to the California coast, already hit by forceful Pacific storms, this Saturday.
Emergency barriers were erected in Pierpont, Ventura, a southern Californian city, on Friday as a rogue wave struck spectators and vehicles, extending beyond the beach and into a neighborhood on the previous day.
Eight people hospitalized following a 30ft high wave hit on the California coast
Eight people got hospitalized after this Pierpont incident, as per Ventura county authorities. They have also closed beaches, piers, and harbors until 31 December.
Similar waves flooded beaches in other parts of the California coast on Thursday, leading to evacuations from low-lying areas after parking lots and streets were submerged.
“This level of water in the lane is unprecedented,” comments Karris Kutivan, a Ventura resident of nine years.
According to the Los Angeles-area weather office, powerful cyclones over northern Pacific waters are generating 12-17ft swells, resulting in “considerable wave energy across coastal waters”.
Forecasters anticipate breaking waves reaching up to 25ft at certain points along California, with astronomical high tides contributing to the significant risk of further coastal flooding.
“This is expected to be an extraordinary high-surf and coastal flooding incident, unseen in many years,” warns the weather service. They urge the public to exercise caution, follow the instructions of local authorities and lifeguards, and to never turn their backs to the water due to the likelihood of dangerous sneaker waves.
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