Massive waves and coastal flooding are wreaking havoc for a third day in many of California's coastal communities, where extreme conditions have forced water rescues, swept away cars and injured fascinated spectators.
The huge waves – often more than 20 feet high – led to the closure of beaches along the California coast and caused flooding of streets, homes and beachfront businesses.
In hard-hit Ventura County, waves overtopped seawalls and swept parked cars across streets and at major intersections, blocking the path for rescuers, Fire Capt. Brian McGrath told the Firefighting affiliate. CNN TNLA.
Flooding at a local hotel also caused damage to all ground-floor rooms, he said.
High waters and dangerous rip currents have besieged much of the West Coast, from Southern California to Oregon, since Thursday (28), caused by a series of strong storms that have reached the coast of the United States from the Ocean. Pacific.
Although the dangers will decrease for Northern Californians this Saturday (30), the coastal areas of Central and Southern California will continue to be hit by extreme waves, which could reach about 7.5 meters high in impacted areas.
Some waves hitting the California Bay Area can peak at 40 feet high — about the size of a telephone pole — and others are expected to reach 30 feet high.
The southern Oregon coast is also expected to be hit by strong waves and strong winds early Saturday. High wave warnings are in effect in the region during the morning, with waves between 6 and 7.5 meters high expected.
Curious onlookers and enthusiastic surfers were delighted by the spectacular waves, but local authorities are urging people to stay out of the water and away from beaches due to the potentially fatal conditions.
“Vulnerable beaches, piers and harbors should NOT be considered safe,” said the National Weather Service in Los Angeles.
Ventura County authorities closed all beaches during New Year's Eve due to waves between 15 and 20 feet high that will hit the coast Saturday night.
The county, along with the beaches of Hermosa, Manhattan and Palos Verdes, face the most extreme waves this Saturday and are at risk of significant coastal flooding.
“We know the waves look impressive and we understand why you want to come here,” McGrath told TNLA on Friday. “But we are asking people to stay away and out of the area for their safety and ours.”
Ventura rescuers rescued about 10 people Friday “who thought they were capable of navigating those high waves,” the fire captain said.
Two beachgoers also helped pull a struggling lifeguard out of the water as he tried to return to shore after rescuing a person near the dock, firefighter Andy VanSciver told CNN .
During the first wave of strong waves Thursday, nearly 20 people were swept away by a wave that crashed into a beach barrier packed with onlookers in the Pierpont area of Ventura Beach, officials said. Eight injured people were taken to hospital.
“It was scary and apocalyptic,” said Colin Hoag, who captured video of people struggling to escape as the tidal wave broke the barrier. Fast-moving seawater swept some people off their feet and hit cars as drivers tried to flee.
“People were screaming and shouting. I ran as fast as I could,” Hoag said.
One of the storms feeding the waves will also bring rain and wind to California.
The rain will move inland and into Southern California before weakening in the Rockies on Sunday (31).
Further inland, a wintry mix will fall across central and eastern California. More than a foot of snow is possible on ridges and high-altitude peaks of between 15 to 30 centimeters are expected in low-lying mountainous areas.
Source: CNN Brasil
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