Santa Monica beachgoers face a triple threat through Saturday: dangerous surf, rip currents, and coastal flooding, all while a weeks-long heat wave drives crowds to the shoreline.
The National Weather Service issued three concurrent advisories affecting local beaches as of Thursday, July 30. A High Surf Advisory runs through Saturday evening, a Beach Hazards Statement through Saturday afternoon, and a Coastal Flood Advisory through early Saturday morning. The surf hazard comes from Hurricane Genevieve, which briefly reached Category 5 strength before weakening far offshore and is not expected to make landfall in California.
The NWS warns of breaking waves of 4 to 8 feet at south-facing beaches, including Santa Monica, with dangerous rip currents and sneaker waves. Extreme evening high tides near 7 feet could flood low-lying parking lots and roads.
Nearly 2,000 rescues last weekend
LA County lifeguards performed 1,950 ocean rescues over the weekend of July 25–27, according to the Westside Current. Crews also recorded 71,274 preventative actions and provided medical aid to 517 people.
No fatalities were reported.
A typical busy summer weekend produces 200 to 300 ocean rescues countywide. Last weekend's total was six to ten times that rate, and it came before Hurricane Genevieve's swell had fully arrived.
Pono Barnes, spokesman for the LA County Fire Department Lifeguard Division, told the Orange County Register on Tuesday, July 28 that he expected the coming weekend to produce similarly high numbers. "We have people, swell and warm water, and it's summertime," Barnes said. "All of those things are going to come into alignment and I think we will see impressive numbers as well this coming weekend."
Heat not letting up
The persistent heat wave, now nearly four weeks old, is driven by a ridge of high pressure keeping temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above average. An Extreme Heat Warning takes effect at 10 a.m. Friday, July 31 for the Santa Monica Mountains, Calabasas, Agoura Hills, and the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, where temperatures could reach 95 to 110 degrees. LA County beaches are under a separate heat advisory from 10 a.m. Friday through 8 p.m. Sunday.
Water temperatures at Santa Monica Pier hit 76.8°F on July 25, the highest July reading ever recorded at that location, according to weather tracker Colin McCarthy of US Stormwatch. Strengthening El Niño conditions have suppressed the marine layer that normally keeps coastal communities 15 to 20 degrees cooler than inland valleys.
Forecasters expect the heat to peak Friday and Saturday, with a second surge of extreme ridging beginning around the middle of next week.
What officials say to do
The LA County Fire Department Lifeguard Division said on Monday, July 27, as reported by KTLA, that beachgoers should talk to a lifeguard about ocean conditions before entering the water. The NWS warns that long-period hurricane swells produce deceptive lulls followed by large, sweeping sets that can catch swimmers off guard.
Officials advise residents to:
- Swim only near an open lifeguard tower
- Keep a close eye on children
- Never turn your back on the ocean
- If caught in a rip current, stay calm, float, and swim parallel to shore until free
Residents showing signs of heat stroke, including confusion, hot or dry skin, rapid pulse, or loss of consciousness, should call 911. Cooling centers are available at laparks.org/reccenter or by calling 211.
