Daring surfers from around the globe flocked to the shores of Northern California to test their skills against monstrous waves, as the legendary Mavericks competition took place in Half Moon Bay on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued a high surf warning, cautioning that the waves could soar up to 30 feet, equivalent to a staggering 10 meters. Meanwhile, a terrifying incident unfolded just northwest of Los Angeles, where a rogue wave forcefully swept away a group of onlookers. Local officials in Ventura shared that approximately 15 to 20 individuals were briefly carried down a street for a distance of around 30 to 50 yards. Eight of them were subsequently taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. These dramatic events are occurring alongside wind advisories affecting over seven million people and high surf warnings for six million individuals along the West Coast of the United States.
The coastal areas of California are especially vulnerable, with the city of San Diego currently under a coastal flood advisory and high surf warning that extends until Monday. San Francisco is anticipating waves as towering as 40 feet until Friday morning. A remarkable and hazardous weather system has descended upon the region, characterized by its intensity and potential for coastal flooding. The National Weather Service categorizes this event as exceptional, an occurrence that hasn't been witnessed in many years. Experts emphasize that the imminent danger posed by recurrent high waves is extreme and highlights the significant risk of drowning. Buoys have already measured some waves reaching heights of up to 28 feet, with the possibility of even greater surges causing damage in certain areas.
The primary catalysts for these extraordinary conditions are a multitude of storms swirling towards the West Coast. One storm system is steadily making its way towards the Pacific Northwest, while another, carrying forceful winds, is en route to California, expected to hit on Friday. The affected regions span from the U.S.-Mexico border up to Oregon, with high surf alerts issued for locations such as Santa Barbara and San Diego, where waves could reach up to 25 feet. The San Francisco Bay Area faces an even greater threat, with warnings of towering waves as high as 40 feet. Considering the immense size of these waves, destructive consequences are anticipated, including potential damage to piers and jetties. In addition to these ramifications, higher waves paired with the maximum high tide of the month could lead to minor coastal flooding in lower-lying areas, exacerbating the situation.
As the weekend approaches, strong winds are predicted to intensify further, with gusts of up to 50 to 60 miles per hour. Particularly in San Francisco and northern regions, gusts reaching up to 60 miles per hour are expected on Friday. Notably, the heart of the storm over the ocean is witnessing even more ferocious winds, contributing to the awe-inspiring waves as they crash onto the California coastline. This volatile weather pattern signifies an ongoing threat poised to linger throughout the weekend, as another wave looms on the horizon. Vigilance and caution remain paramount in the face of the relentless power unleashed by these tempestuous conditions.
