California beaches slammed by massive waves, coastal flooding
Series of storms impacting West Coast this weekend
A series of storms is impacting the West Coast, with the next storm this weekend. Each will bring a threat for flash flooding, but the overall threat appears low at this time.
LOS ANGELES – Another round of dangerous surf and coastal flooding Saturday forced some authorities in Southern California to warn of the potential of coastal evacuations, just 48 hours after massive waves wreaked havoc along beaches from Los Angeles to San Francisco.
A series of storm systems in the Pacific Ocean helped trigger the rough seas that created life-threatening surf in five western states.
Local emergency management agencies and National Weather Service offices were seemingly well-prepared for the event, as beaches and piers up-and-down the Golden State's coastline were closed in preparation for the coastal impacts.
AT LEAST 8 INURED IN CALIFORNIA AS MASSIVE WAVES FLOOD COASTAL TOWNS
Around San Francisco, Monterey and Big Sur coasts, dangerously large waves of 28-33 feet were expected, while waves of 15-20 feet with sets to 25 feet were experienced around Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.
Ventrua County warned Saturday of possible evacuations, but water levels never reached the threshold for an evacuation order to be issued.
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Image 1 of 20EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 29:A surfer waits on a jetty on his way to enter the water as a large wave crashes near the beach December 29, 2023 in El Segundo, California. Dangerous surf churned up by storms in the Pacific is impacting much of California’s coastline with coastal flooding possible in some low-lying areas. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) ( )
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Image 2 of 20MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 29: Onlookers watch as large waves break near the beach on December 29, 2023 in Manhattan Beach, California. Dangerous surf churned up by storms in the Pacific is impacting much of California’s coastline with coastal flooding possible in some low-lying areas. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) ( )
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Image 3 of 20VENTURA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 28: Large waves break near the beach on December 28, 2023 in Ventura, California. Dangerous surf churned up by storms in the Pacific is impacting much of California’s coastline with coastal flooding possible in some low-lying areas. (Mario Tama)
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Image 4 of 20CALIFORNIA, USA - DECEMBER 29: A view of damaged areas at Seacliff State Beach as massive waves hit the coast and the state declared high surf and coastal flood warning, in Santa Cruz, California, United States on December 29, 2023. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 5 of 20CALIFORNIA, USA - DECEMBER 29: A view of damaged areas at Seacliff State Beach as massive waves hit the coast and the state declared high surf and coastal flood warning, in Santa Cruz, California, United States on December 29, 2023. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 6 of 20VENTURA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 28: Large waves break near the beach on December 28, 2023 in Ventura, California. Dangerous surf churned up by storms in the Pacific is impacting much of California’s coastline with coastal flooding possible in some low-lying areas. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) ( )
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Image 7 of 20EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 29: Surfers look on near a jetty as large waves break near the beach on December 29, 2023 in El Segundo, California. Dangerous surf churned up by storms in the Pacific is impacting much of California’s coastline with coastal flooding possible in some low-lying areas. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) ( )
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Image 8 of 20Huntington Beach, CA - December 29: A crew with a front end loader moves a lifeguard tower across a flooded beach away from the crashing waves just south of the Huntington Beach Pier in Huntington Beach, on Friday morning, December 28, 2023. Large waves continued to hit the coastline for the second day causing flooding and beach erosion. (Photo by Mark Rightmire/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 9 of 20EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 29: A person operates a jet ski as a large wave crashes over a jetty near the beach on December 29, 2023 in El Segundo, California. Dangerous surf churned up by storms in the Pacific is impacting much of California’s coastline with coastal flooding possible in some low-lying areas. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) ( )
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Image 10 of 20Ventura, CA - December 28: Ventura County fire helicopter patrols the coastline over heavy surf south of Ventura Pier on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 in Ventura, CA. Most of the pier was closed due to the surf. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 11 of 20Ventura, CA - December 28: A surfer at Surfer's Point contemplates his timing to enter the water as large waves pound the beach on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 in Ventura, CA. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 12 of 20TOPSHOT - A heavy equipment operator removes sand and debris after huge waves caused damage and injuries, on December 29, 2023 in Ventura, California. Huge surf is battering the US West Coast, with rogue waves already sweeping away pedestrians and vehicles and inundating a hotel, and forecasters warning of more danger ahead for beach communities. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 13 of 20A 20 foot swell dwarfing the Ventura Pier. (NWS Los Angeles)
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Image 14 of 20Men watch from a balcony in Faria Beach as huge waves crash on the shore Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 in Ventura, CA. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
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Image 15 of 20Rio Del Mar Esplanade and Seacliff Beach are buried under debris. (@CHPscrz via X)
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Image 16 of 20Rio Del Mar Esplanade and Seacliff Beach are buried under debris. (@CHPscrz via X)
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Image 17 of 20Rio Del Mar Esplanade and Seacliff Beach are buried under debris. (@CHPscrz via X)
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Image 18 of 20The City of Santa Cruz closed the wharf, several beaches and a cliff walk due to the pounding surf. (City of Santa Cruz)
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Image 19 of 20The City of Santa Cruz closed the wharf, several beaches and a cliff walk due to the pounding surf. (City of Santa Cruz)
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Image 20 of 20The City of Santa Cruz closed the wharf, several beaches and a cliff walk due to the pounding surf. (City of Santa Cruz)
Southern Californoa was still cleaning up from Thursday's barrage of high surf. A massive wave crashed through and over beach barriers, sending a surge of water rushing inland and catching several onlookers by surprise. Video from the chaotic scene showed people scrambling to escape the wave with at least one car carried inland in the floodwaters.
20-foot waves swamp neighborhoods in California
FOX Weather is following extreme surf across California. Monster waves have already forced evacuations and closed roads from Southern to Northern California.
Ventura County was still cleaning up from Thursday's barrage of high surf. A massive wave crashed through and over beach barriers, sending a surge of water rushing inland and catching several onlookers by surprise. Video from the chaotic scene showed people scrambling to escape the wave with at least one car carried inland in the floodwaters.
At least eight people were sent to the hospital with minor injuries, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
WATCH: MAMMOTH WAVE NEAR LOS ANGELES SMASHES INTO BEACH SPECTATORS
Wave injures onlookers in Ventura, California
Video captures moment massive wave smashes into beach spectators northwest of Los Angeles
Ventura County spent hours Thursday night and Friday creating a fresh mile-long sand barrier to help protect the shorelines against the advancing surf.
The surf threat was forecast to abate Sunday into the early workweek as the eastern Pacific gets a break from deep low-pressure storms.