Numerous individuals were admitted to hospitals after massive waves caused significant damage in coastal towns in California on Thursday, due to potent storms lingering over the Pacific Ocean.
Brave residents disregarded evacuation directives and gathered at the beaches to witness the spectacular display of waves crashing. Unfortunately, some ventured too close, and the colossal formations breached the seawalls.
Around 11 a.m. in Ventura, a rogue wave engulfed approximately 20 beachgoers at Pierpont Beach. The city of Ventura documented the moment when the water breached the concrete barrier, toppling the unsuspecting spectators, while two drivers sought to escape the oncoming wave.
In Ventura, waves soared to a height of 20 feet, presenting residents with the additional peril of life-threatening rip currents.
Authorities took the precaution of closing roads leading to the beach to dissuade other spectators from entering hazardous areas.
In a separate video, acquired by KSBW, two children in Santa Cruz were delighting in the spectacle of the roaring ocean when a massive wave surged over the railing, sweeping the two helpless youngsters away.
#HighSurf – Watch when a rogue wave hits the beach at the end of Seward Ave in the City of Ventura. This occurred during the high surf advisory at high tide. Because of this wave eight people were transported to local hospitals. Currently the beaches are closed in Ventura County… pic.twitter.com/VlRlgRLhpn
— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) December 29, 2023
Earlier on Thursday, the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation alerts in response to elevated tides and the risk of flooding.
Reports indicated that debris, such as driftwood and logs, had been washed ashore in the vicinity.
“They’re washing logs up here. A lot of debris, a lot of driftwood. So we’ve been asking people to avoid the direct coastal area.”
The Ventura Fire Department stated that it was engaged in overnight efforts to construct artificial beach berms, aiming to safeguard nearby residential neighborhoods.
It wasn’t just onlookers seizing the opportunity presented by the colossal waves; surfers also relished the rare chance to ride the titanic swells.
The National Weather Service issued a hazardous surf alert for Southern California, anticipating life-threatening rip currents and substantial beach erosion. The entire West Coast, spanning from Washington to the US-Mexico border, is also subject to high wave alerts and advisories until 3 a.m. local time Friday, accompanied by coastal flooding warnings persisting until the afternoon.
