Updated

Updated · KABC-TV · Sep 7

Tropical Cyclone Marie Floods Southern California Coast, Washing Away 8-Foot Berms

Updated

Updated · KABC-TV · Sep 7

Tropical Cyclone Marie Floods Southern California Coast, Washing Away 8-Foot Berms

Q: Why are distant Pacific storms suddenly creating invisible sneaker wave dangers that force emergency beach closures across Southern California?

Distant Pacific hurricanes can create beach dangers in Southern California because they send long-period swells far ahead of the storm itself, even when the storm’s center stays hundreds of miles offshore. That swell carries concentrated wave energy across the Pacific and arrives at the coast in uneven sets. The result is not just bigger surf but “sneaker waves” — sudden waves that run much farther up the beach than the smaller waves before them. Forecasters warn they can appear after 10 to 20 minutes of relatively modest surf, which is why the danger can seem invisible until a large surge suddenly knocks people down or pulls them into the water. In Marie’s case, the storm’s outer influence generated 6- to 10-foot surf across parts of Southern California, with reports of 10-foot waves at Zuma Beach and even larger sets at exposed beaches such as The Wedge. That wave energy also strengthens rip currents and longshore currents, making rescues more likely even for people standing in shallow water or near rocks, jetties and piers. Emergency closures happen when those swells combine with local coastal geography and high astronomical tides. Elevated tides mean the ocean is already starting from a higher baseline, so wave run-up reaches parking lots, roads and other low-lying areas more easily. That is why cities such as Seal Beach closed beachfront lots and why weather officials extended beach hazard statements through multiple days, even as the storm itself weakened offshore.

3 articles · Updated · KABC-TV · Sep 7

Long Beach streets and garages took on several inches of water Sunday after Marie-driven surf overtopped berms and clogged storm drains, forcing lifeguards to clear parts of the boardwalk.
Eight-foot shoreline berms were washed out, boardwalk wood splintered, and residents reported power shutoffs, damaged electronics, shifted furniture and debris hurled by each wave.
Malibu and Seal Beach also saw wave damage and flooding—Pacific Coast Highway was splashed by breakers, some Malibu beaches closed, and cleanup crews worked overnight where barriers were breached.
Marie was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical cyclone Sunday night, but officials said dangerous surf will likely persist for days; a High Surf Advisory remains in effect through 11 p.m. Tuesday.
The flooding followed a weekend of Marie-related beach closures, 177 lifeguard rescues in Newport Beach, widespread rain, crashes, downed trees and power outages across Southern California.