Californians warned of deadly beach conditions with sneaker waves and rip currents

A beach hazard warning is active across Southern California as officials warn of large waves and life-threatening rip currents along the coast.

The potentially deadly beach conditions are expected along Ventura County beaches, the Malibu coast, Los Angeles County beaches and Orange County.

A National Weather Service advisory is set to remain in effect through Wednesday, July 29, at 5 p.m. The warning also extends farther south to San Diego County and includes the Catalina and Santa Barbara islands.

“Southerly swell is bringing strong, dangerous rip currents & elevated to high surf, especially for Ventura & Los Angeles Co,” the NWS wrote on X. “If you get caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shoreline to escape, then swim at an angle away from the current, toward shore.”

Beachgoers are advised to take extreme precautions as the southerly swell generates waves between 3 and 6 feet. These conditions create powerful rip currents and a high risk of drowning for even experienced swimmers.

“Flooding of lots, parks, and roads with only isolated road closures expected,” the NWS added. “Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Breaking waves can sweep people off jetties and docks, and into dangerous seas,”

While significant structural damage is unlikely, there is a heightened risk of drowning, the weather service said Tuesday. Strong rip currents may pull swimmers out to sea and large breaking waves can cause injuries, wash individuals off the shore, or capsize small boats near the coastline.

High tides of 6.2 to 7 feet are expected in the evenings through Friday, peaking through Thursday. Combined with Hurricane Genevieve’s swell, minor coastal flooding is most likely on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, the weather service said.

Local authorities recommend staying near lifeguard-protected beaches and avoiding the water entirely during peak surf hours until conditions subside on Wednesday evening.

The advisory comes on the heels of a rescue in Santa Cruz where monstrous waves sucked a young swimmer into massive surf Saturday. As bystanders watched in terror, a 16-year-old lifeguard dove into the water and fought the powerful waves to reach the child and bring him back to shore.

Los Angeles County lifeguards made nearly 2,000 water rescues over the past week, a steep increase from the typical summer weekend average of 200 to 300 rescues, Fox News reported.

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