Huge waves pounded California on Thursday as a large swell caused by storms over the Pacific Ocean moved toward shorelines, causing coastal flooding and triggering evacuation alerts.
In Ventura, bystander video showed a wild wave crashing into a seawall, sending a crowd of onlookers fleeing inland in panic as the water rushed toward them. Eight people were injured, KETY-TV reported.
Evacuation warnings were issued in coastal Marin County Thursday morning and were expanded to Santa Cruz County and Capitola Village later in the day.
Waves could be between 28 and 33 feet and as high as 40 feet in some places, the National Weather Service said in a flash bulletin, adding that there were reports of flooding in low-lying coastal areas.
Meteorologists urged people to stay away from rocks and jetties and not turn their backs on the sea due to the risk of “sneaker waves” – occasionally much larger waves that run far up the sand and can wash someone off the beach.
Conditions could worsen heading into the weekend as the storm system moves in from the Pacific, particularly in Southern California, where the highest surf is expected in San Diego on Saturday.
In Ventura, bystander video showed a wild wave crashing into a seawall, sending a crowd of onlookers fleeing inland in panic as the water rushed toward them.
Eight were injured in the incident as huge waves swept across California on Thursday
Conditions are expected to improve near San Francisco early Friday, while high surf and coastal flooding are expected in Los Angeles until 10 p.m. Saturday.
“Due to the life-threatening surf, everyone should stay away from the water. Stay away from docks, piers and other waterfront infrastructure,” the NWS urged.
In Aptos, at the northern end of Monterey Bay, surf overtopped the beach Thursday and spilled over a parking lot, leaving the area littered with debris.
Local business Venus Spirits Cocktails and Kitchen Beachside released security camera footage showing waves crashing into the outdoor dining area.
In a GoFundMe campaign, the owners said they were unable to return to the business to assess the damage and that they were still recovering from a similar flood nearly a year ago.
“Mother Nature is angry,” said Eve Krammer, a longtime Aptos resident. “I mean, these waves are gnarly. They're huge.'
The same area was hit by the sea last January when the west coast was flooded by numerous atmospheric rivers.
“I feel for the people who live down here,” said Jeff Howard, also an Aptos resident.
A storm system can be seen moving toward the Pacific coast on Thursday, producing huge waves
Coastal Flood Warnings and High Surf Warnings are in effect for the remainder of the week in Ventura County, California
Flooding occurs in Capitola, California, Thursday, December 28, 2023. Strong surf rolls onto beaches on the West Coast and Hawaii as large swells generated by the stormy Pacific Ocean head toward the shores. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Streets in Capitola, California are flooded on Thursday. Powerful surf rolls onto beaches on the West Coast and Hawaii as a large swell generated by the stormy Pacific Ocean heads toward the shores
Storm debris in the Rio Del Mar neighborhood of Aptos on Thursday after storm-related waves caused flooding
A man carries a woman through storm debris in the Rio Del Mar neighborhood of Aptos after the area was flooded
Although not quite as large, the waves along Southern California were also described as dangerous, with life-threatening rip currents. Still, surfers couldn't resist.
Patience was the key to success, according to Alex Buford, 27, who surfed waves on the Los Angeles County coast north of Manhattan Beach.
“I waited a while because the waves were really sick and it's pretty hard to get in even though I have a really big board,” he said. “I was just waiting for a good one, and I got it, and it was long.” Pretty big. It was sick.'
For Hawaii, the weather service forecast surf to rise to 30 to 40 feet on the north coast and 18 to 22 feet on the west coast of five islands.
Professional Hawaii surfer Sheldon Paishon prepared to surf Thursday morning at Makaha, a world-famous surfing beach on Oahu's west side.
Paishon, 30, surfed at various locations around Oahu this week, taking advantage of the waves during this week's high surf warning, which is in effect until Friday morning.
“There are always big waves in Hawaii in the winter,” he said.
Large waves crash near Capitola, where an evacuation warning was in effect due to coastal flooding
Crews worked to repair the damage in Ventura even as more severe storms and rain moved toward the coast
Coastal Flood Warnings and High Surf Warnings are in effect for the remainder of the week in Ventura County, California
A utility worker escapes from rushing water while inspecting downed power lines at the Venetian Motel in Capitola
Waves splash beneath a Stinson Beach home that was under an evacuation warning Thursday
A beachgoer standing on a sandbar watches the high surf near Manhattan Beach, California, on Thursday
He warned that inexperienced surfers should check with lifeguards before entering the water and “make sure there are a few people around you and stay safe.”
Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguards stationed at beaches across Oahu rescued 20 people on the island's famous North Shore on Wednesday, spokeswoman Shayne Enright said. They are also engaged in thousands of “preventative measures,” she said.
“There is incredible surf this time of year, but it can also be very dangerous,” she said.
The dangerous surf could also lead to flooding that could affect coastal properties and roads, the weather service warned.