At least eight people were hospitalized when gigantic waves wreaked havoc across coastal California towns on Thursday, as powerful storms hovered over the Pacific Ocean.
Daring residents ignored evacuation orders and flocked to the beaches to watch the epic show of the waves crashing, but some were too close as the monstrous formations broke over the seawalls.
A rogue wave swept approximately 20 beachgoers at Pierpont Beach around 11 a.m. in Ventura.
The city of Ventura captured the moment the water breached the concrete barrier and knocked down the vulnerable spectators as two drivers attempted to escape the wave.
Waves in Ventura reached up to 20 feet as residents also faced “life-threatening rip currents.”
Officials closed roads to the beach as a means to deter other onlookers from entering the dangerous areas.
In another video, obtained by KSBW, two kids were enjoying the sights of the roaring ocean in Santa Cruz when a giant wave crashed over the railing and wiped the two powerless children away.
People run for cover as high tides hit the coastline of Ventura, California, U.S. December 28, 2023. VCFDThe Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation warnings earlier Thursday due to the “high tides and flooding.”
“We put evacuation warnings into place around 8 a.m. this morning for this area, and, as you can see, these waves are incredibly powerful,” Ashley Keehn, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office information officer, told KTVU FOX 2.
The National Weather Service Bay Area recorded waves in Santa Cruz reaching 28 to 33 feet.
A person cleans up debris washed up by large waves which impacted the beach on December 28, 2023 in Ventura, California. Getty Images
People watch the waves near Pacifica Municipal Pier in Pacifica, Calif., on Dec. 28, 2023. AP
A front end loader removes debris along a flooded Clarendon road due to high waves in Pacifica, Calif., on Dec. 28, 2023. APDebris including driftwood and logs was reported to have washed up on shore in the area.
“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,” Keehn added.
The Ventura Fire Department said it was working overnight to create artificial beach berms to protect nearby residential neighborhoods.
Two of the three rescue helicopters dispatched to the scene flew over Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area in Oceano, Calif., after flooding resulted in high swells on the ocean. AP
Large waves crash into Duncan’s Landing north of Carmel on Dec. 28, 2023, due to a Pacific storm pummeling Northern California. AP
Massive waves hit the beach in Santa Cruz County. via REUTERS
Heavy machinery clears mud and fallen trees off the beach, as massive waves hit the California coastline. via REUTERSOnlookers weren’t the only ones who took advantage of the colossal waves, as surfers were enjoying the rare chance to ride the titanic swells.
“We had some people go out. They’re competing for a photo contest, actually. Yeah, they’re really hyped about the awesome waves and the giant swell that’s coming right now,” Jackson Fisk told KTVU.
The National Weather Service issued a dangerous surf warning for Southern California predicting life-threatening rip currents and significant beach erosion.
The entire West Coast from Washington down to the US-Mexico border is also under high wave warnings and advisories until 3 a.m. local time Friday with coastal flooding warnings in effect until the afternoon.
With Post wires
High tide and rains brought large waves pounding the coastline and caused flooding in Capitola Village, Calif., on Dec. 25, 2023. ZUMAPRESS.com