Dangerously High Surf Causing Safety Concerns At Southern California Beaches
HERMOSA BEACH (CBSLA) — A high surf advisory was in effect Monday as waves pummeled beaches across the Los Angeles region.
Dangerously high waves and strong rip currents are expected along the Central Coast through at least Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
Powerful waves damaged pilings of the Ventura Pier, forcing its closure for an unknown duration.
A woman from Oklahoma said the swells were a sight to see.
"We have tornadoes there, but you guys have these big waves," she said. "It's beautiful, it's mesmerizing."
But with the beauty comes danger.
The last time the Ventura Pier closed was 2015, when powerful swells also caused pilings to break off.
Waves of about 12 feet hit Hermosa Beach, where there was a major concern of strong rip currents. The behemoth waves crashing on the shore sounded like a freight train, CBS2's Cristy Fajardo reports.
People lined the sand and pier in Hermosa – at a safe distance – to watch the waves roll in. No one was spotted in the water, and no injuries have been reported.
"This is definitely as big as I've ever seen it out here. I was joking with my friend, I was like, I'm going to go get my foam surfboard, which would easily get me and the surf board destroyed today," Tommy Gray said.
Monstrous waves also crashed into Redondo and Manhattan beaches.
The high waves are the result of a succession of storms in the Pacific Ocean. High surf slammed beaches along the West Coast Monday.
Along the Central Coast, waves were deemed too dangerous for the annual Mavericks surfing competition. Waves are expected to hit 50 feet Monday near Half Moon Bay. Organizers say they now plan to hold the famous surfing competition sometime in January.
