Overview
- National Weather Service offices have issued beach hazards, high surf and coastal flood advisories that cover large stretches of the Central and Southern California coast and remain in effect through the weekend.
- Forecasters say Hurricane Genevieve is sending 16–18 second southwesterly swell that can produce breaking waves up to about 10–12 feet on exposed south-facing beaches and sudden sneaker waves that reach far up the shore.
- Lifeguards reported heavy activity last weekend, including nearly 2,000 rescues in Los Angeles County and dozens of rescues in Santa Cruz, which officials say strained staffing and prompted stepped-up tower coverage.
- Cities from Long Beach north through the Channel Islands have been fortifying berms and sea walls and monitoring high tides because waves combined with evening high tides could cause minor coastal flooding of low-lying walkways and parking areas.
- The pattern reflects an active eastern Pacific tropical season and warmer-than-normal coastal water this summer, which forecasters say has increased the frequency of long-period swell events and the public exposure as heat draws more people to beaches.