LOS ANGELES, United States: Hurricane Marie’s impacts on California brought waves up to 10 feet, dangerous rip currents and coastal flooding to Southern California beaches over the Labour Day weekend.
National Weather Service meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld said Sunday that Marie was creating life-threatening conditions despite remaining hundreds of miles off California’s Pacific coast.
The hurricane was not expected to make landfall and was forecast to weaken to a tropical storm by late Sunday. However, parts of Los Angeles County had already received about a quarter-inch of rain.
The National Weather Service urged swimmers to stay near lifeguards and avoid rock jetties because of the strong surf and rip currents. Newport Beach lifeguards carried out 177 rescues Saturday, according to local officials’ reports.
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Lifeguard battalion chief Adam Yacenda said only experienced swimmers and surfers should enter the water under the hazardous conditions.
Long Beach officials advised people to avoid swimming at city beaches and bays for at least three days. They warned that rainfall could wash runoff from storm drains and rivers into coastal waters.
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Seal Beach in Orange County closed two beachfront parking lots until Wednesday morning because of expected elevated surf and coastal flooding. The Seal Beach Municipal Pier remained open.
