Southern Californians are being urged to stay out of the ocean as rip currents and waves are forecasted to continue posing a threat to beachgoers for several days. It comes as at least three people died in the state last week amid dangerous conditions at beaches.
Across Southern California’s coast, various alerts are in effect from the National Weather Service warning of hazardous swimming conditions that heighten the risk of drowning. In addition, weather officials warn that waves can wash people off the beach.
The dangerous conditions at play this week echo warnings that were in effect the week prior as tragedies unfolded in California:
- A girl was found dead after she, her mother and sibling were swept into the ocean in Laguna Beach on June 9. That day, the city published on social media a high surf advisory warning, informing the public of elevated surf, strong rip currents and hazardous ocean conditions occurring along the coastline.
- Farther north, two women were pulled from the water after Santa Cruz County authorities were dispatched for a rescue on June 10. Both women were transported to a hospital for treatment and have since died, according to Ashley Keehn, a spokesperson for the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office. Dangerous conditions along the shoreline, including strong rip currents, were forecasted for beaches across several counties, including Santa Cruz, during that time.
Alerts in effect for parts of SoCal beaches
Southerly swells, or waves, are expected to continue impacting coastal waters through at least Monday, June 15, according to the National Weather Service Los Angeles. The swells come as “energetic storms” in the southern hemisphere are expected to continue impacting California’s coast, according to the NWS San Francisco Bay Area, which is warning of dangerous swimming conditions for swaths of the region into Wednesday, June 17…