A mega swell continued to batter California with big waves on Friday, Dec. 29, drawing surfers and spectators to the coastline to soak in nature’s spectacle.
The swell had dropped slightly following the previous day of massive waves that made headlines across the state. While the Southern California region fared better than the northern and central coast, which saw waves upward 25 feet, there was plenty of water moving around Friday creating hazardous conditions at local beaches.
And it’s not over, with an even bigger swell expected to fill in on Saturday, which could mean waves close to 20 feet in some areas. Combined with a morning high tide, flooding in low-lying areas could cause trouble for streets, structures and parking lots that line the coast.
Because of the potential of larger waves, officials plan to close Bolsa Chica State Beach on Saturday until noon, following the lead of other State Parks shorelines, including Ventura and San Lois Obispo, said State Parks Superintendent Kevin Pearsall. The Manhattan Beach pier is also set to be closed through Sunday.
Waves and the high tide were so strong Friday morning, beachgoers scrambled to get out of the ocean’s path as the water reached up to the bike path. Waves on Saturday are expected to be double the size, said Pearsall.
Workers stayed busy Friday reinforcing a 7-foot sand berm to keep the ocean from damaging the beach’s parking lots and reaching into Pacific Coast Highway. Last January a winter swell damaged the pathway and parking lots and they remained closed for months for repairs.
In the South Bay, the water reached the beach pathway at Torrance Beach. Beach erosion has caused escarpments along a number of beaches and the tide was running up to restrooms on narrower stretches like Redondo Beach, said Carol Baker, deputy director for Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors.
At one point along Will Rogers State Beach, erosion had made the sand impassible for maintenance…
Read the full article here