storm
“Dangerous monster waves” rage off the California coast
Huge waves on the Pacifica coast near San Francisco. photo
© Li Jianguo/XinHua/dpa
From San Francisco to Los Angeles, storms have been causing meter-high waves since Friday. The authorities warn – but one or two surfers take advantage of the strong surf.
The US west coast state of California has been hit by storms and very high waves. The Severe weather will continue over the weekend in the particularly hard-hit Ventura County north of the metropolis of Los Angeles, the administration said. There were waves there that were up to six meters high. There were initially no reports of possible damage or casualties.
In San Francisco and Los Angeles, around 600 kilometers further south, rain and strong surf had also caused flooding and life-threatening situations since Friday. The “Los Angeles Times” headlined on Saturday that “dangerous monster waves” were plaguing the region.
In San Francisco Bay, waves up to 12 meters high had flooded areas, as the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper reported. Most of the storm moved on Saturday, but warnings for flooding and high surf along the coast of northern and central California remained in effect until Saturday afternoon.
Surfers take advantage of waves in Los Angeles
Authorities warned that residents should stay away from the water if possible. Because large waves could wash people off jetties and rocks. In Ventura County, all beaches will remain closed until New Year’s Day. In other parts of the district, the administration lifted calls for evacuations from low-lying areas on Saturday.
The strong surf on Saturday could be seen in photos from the town of Pacifica near San Francisco, among others. At Seal Beach in Los Angeles, surfers used the high waves for their sport. There were pictures of partly devastated beaches, including from the coastal road in the town of Aptos, south of San Francisco.