Huge waves crash near the beach in Ventura, California. A dangerous storm surge in the Pacific has affected much of the California coast, causing coastal flooding and erosion. | MARIO TAMA/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/METSUL METEOROLOGIA
Huge waves hit the California coast from south to north in recent hours, causing major disruptions, closing beaches and knocking over some people watching the unusual seaside spectacle. Waves over ten meters high hit beaches along the entire coast of the US west coast state.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued repeated warnings about the seriousness of the situation, such as one from the NWS office in San Francisco Bay that literally warned in all caps: “The ocean is not your friend today!”
Very high coastal wave warnings remain in effect through Friday, according to the weather service, and waves of more than 40 feet (12 meters) are possible along the California coast.
The coastal unrest was caused by a series of storms with galeforce winds over the Pacific Ocean that pushed large waves toward the state.
“Avoid rocks, breakwaters, piers and other beach infrastructure,” the weather service added. “Never turn your back on the sea!” But not everyone took the warnings seriously and some were injured by the storm surge with strong undertow and monstrous waves.
A video widely shared on social media showed children being hit by a large wave and thrown to the ground as they watched the advance on West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz, about 100 kilometers south of the city of San Francisco.
OBJECT! Children watching the waves in Santa Cruz coughed as a large wave crashed into the rocks. pic.twitter.com/UMljSqBWln
— KSBW Action News 8 (@ksbw) December 28, 2023
Farther south, in Ventura, a coastal city south of Santa Bárbara, huge waves entered residential streets and flooded some homes throughout Thursday. The water carried sand and debris with it and blocked storm drains.
In one case, a wave was strong enough to crash over a beach wall, knocking over adults and sweeping away a truck. Eight people were taken to hospital with minor injuries. According to the fire department, ten people were rescued from the water throughout the district.
In Stinson Beach, a beach town near the Golden Gate Bridge, the local fire department ordered the evacuation of several small streets near the beach because of the high risk of damage from waves and coastal flooding.
Residents and visitors were ordered by local authorities to leave their homes immediately and a community center was converted into an evacuation point for residents.
🚨 Due to a high tidal wave there will be numerous closures today. Please exercise extreme caution and stay safe when near the ocean. Here are some views from the Rio Del Mar Esplanade and Seacliff St. Beach. Remember to respect the closures and avoid these areas for your own safety. pic.twitter.com/KpNHy4MNC5
— CHP Santa Cruz (@CHPscrz) December 28, 2023
Authorities in Santa Cruz County warned residents to prepare to evacuate Seacliff Beach, not far from where massive waves ripped a home from its foundations in January. The district is one of the districts most affected by the storm surge.
If the rough seas brought problems, they brought joy to the bigwave surfers who frequented Mavericks, the famous surf spot off the coast of Half Moon Bay, a city south of San Francisco, whose surf spot is considered one of the The most classic films about it have become sports. A local surf camera measured the waves as “XXL” and noted
TONIGHT: Pro surfers have traveled from all over the world to ride huge and powerful waves at the legendary Mavericks in Northern California. Wave height is expected to peak between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday. @NWSBayArea predicts waves could reach up to 30 feet.@abc7newsbayarea pic.twitter.com/gsGO9O78GZ
—LaurenABC7 (@LaurenABC7) December 28, 2023
From San Diego to Los Angeles and beyond to San Francisco, the National Weather Service continues to warn of coastal and marine flooding throughout Friday, with waves of up to 30 feet or more that will cause more damage to the coast.
The ocean is NOT your friend today!
The high surf warning is in effect until 3 a.m. Friday for very dangerous waves up to 2833 feet, with 40 feet possible in preferred locations. Stay away from rocks, jetties, piers and other waterfront infrastructure. Never turn your back on the sea! #CAwx pic.twitter.com/JsR7OmDEkx
— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) December 28, 2023
Maintenance crews in Santa Cruz County had to clear debris from the Pacific Coast Highway after huge waves reached the coast. Evacuation orders have been issued for several coastal communities in Northern and Central California. Residents local reporters spoke to were shocked to see such large waves. Many went to the beaches to take photos and videos.
Rogue WAVE: Strong surf sent water crashing over a low retaining wall in Ventura, injuring several people. For more information on today's weather emergencies: https://t.co/hwLPRRNrRr pic.twitter.com/mLS5oyl0tl
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) December 29, 2023
When I mentioned earlier that the extreme flood and surf conditions in California today were at times tsunamilike, that's exactly what I meant. Fortunately, it appears everyone made it out of the disaster, but there was extensive damage and some injuries. Wow. #CAwx https://t.co/eLiomglOxO
Dr. Daniel Swain (@Weather_West) December 29, 2023
Big waves, lighthouse point.
🌊🌊🌊 #CAwx pic.twitter.com/iMoYNPv2Wn— Dustin Mulvaney (@DustinMulvaney) December 28, 2023
Ventura County emergency crews were mobilized to respond to incidents including rescues and injuries as waves shattered windows and glass doors on homes and washed observers off piers and beaches.
The huge waves mark the end of a year marked by a series of extraordinary phenomena, including heavy rainstorms, unprecedented snowfall in the mountains, a rare tropical storm and the reemergence of an ancient lake after years of severe drought.
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