Karolyn Rabago
Dec 30, 2023 - 05:10

Video of Huge California Waves: Bystanders Fleeing

Massive waves hit Ventura, CA, sweeping 20 people into the water and sending 8 to the hospital. Beaches closed due to danger.

Beachgoers in Ventura, CA faced a dangerous situation as they were hit with massive waves reaching over 20 feet in height due to an offshore storm. The waves crashed over seawalls and flooded coastal streets, causing chaos and endangering the lives of those in the area. A total of 20 people were swept away by the powerful surges, with eight individuals requiring hospitalization.

Ventura fire officials issued a statement urging the public to steer clear of the beaches in Ventura County and the Ventura Pier for their own safety. They emphasized the danger posed by the ocean in the wake of the storm and the need for caution.

Video footage captured the harrowing scenes as onlookers scrambled to escape the towering waves, with some even witnessing their vehicles being swept away. The sheer force of the waves was evident as people and objects were tossed around by the powerful swells.

The National Weather Service issued a warning for coastlines from Southern to Central California, describing the conditions as "exceptionally dangerous" with a high risk of drowning and damage to structures. The agency emphasized the unprecedented nature of the high-surf and coastal flooding event, highlighting the severity of the situation.

The forecast indicated that the hazardous conditions were expected to persist through Saturday, with the central coast facing the highest waves. Ventura County was projected to experience waves between 10 and 15 feet, while Santa Barbara and Los Angeles County could see waves between 7 and 12 feet, with the potential for waves exceeding 20 feet in certain areas.

The National Weather Service continued to caution the public about the tremendous wave energy and extremely dangerous conditions at the beach, attributing the long-period swell to powerful cyclones over the northern Pacific waters. The reported outer water swell heights of 20-27 feet underscored the severity of the situation, emphasizing the need for vigilance and caution in the face of the ongoing threat.