Overview
- A mother and two children were swept into the surf near Treasure Island Beach on Tuesday evening when a large south-southwest swell produced powerful shore breaks and rip currents.
- Bystanders rescued the mother and one child at the scene while Laguna Beach Marine Safety, the Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard launched a broad multi-agency search.
- Rescue teams searched for over 30 hours and covered more than 90 square miles before the Coast Guard announced the dedicated search was suspended on Wednesday evening.
- The swell produced very large sets on south-facing breaks — including 20-foot-plus waves at Newport Beach’s The Wedge — prompting National Weather Service Beach Hazards/High Surf statements and extra lifeguard staffing, closures and sand berming to reduce coastal flooding risks.
- Officials warned that the event highlights how long-period Southern Hemisphere swells amplify shore breaks and rip currents on south-facing SoCal beaches and urged the public to stay off the water until conditions subside.