Ocean Conditions Easing but High Surf Warnings Persist in California

Photo byRichard Vogel

Because of the high surf, Ventura County issued a temporary evacuation warning.
Ventura, Calif. In response to the intense high surf along Southern California's coastline this week, Ventura County issued a temporary evacuation warning for specific coastal residents. Although the pounding waves, initially anticipated to reach heights of up to 20 feet (6 meters), have started to subside, county officials cautioned about the hazardous conditions along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Warnings urged residents to steer clear of coastal areas, particularly in proximity to the forecasted powerful waves. The evacuation advisory, imposed due to safety concerns, was lifted later in the afternoon. At Pierpont Beach in Ventura, where onlookers gathered to witness the tumultuous waters, precautions were in place with large sand berms erected to protect waterfront homes, and certain streets were closed off.

Describing this week's surf as an "extraordinary event," Ventura Mayor Joe Schroeder highlighted its unprecedented nature in his 14 years of residence in the city. Despite the spectacle, fire department spokesperson Andy VanSciver reported no injuries or damages on Saturday. However, authorities intended to uphold the evacuation warning until the wave conditions normalized, following incidents earlier in the week where eight individuals required rescue after being injured by the surf.

Beyond Ventura, other parts of the California coastline experienced flooding, leading to the closure of streets and bike paths. While the San Francisco Bay Area's high surf warning was downgraded to an advisory, surfers in Seal Beach, situated approximately 30 miles (45 kilometres) south of Los Angeles, took advantage of the sizable waves.

Miles Malohn, a 23-year-old surfer from Irvine, remarked that this winter swell was one of the most substantial he'd witnessed in years. Reflecting on the challenging conditions, Malohn emphasized the need for careful wave selection to avoid potential injuries or severe wipeouts while riding the powerful waves.