A video shared online shows people running for their lives from a rogue wave that slammed into a California beach on Thursday.
Despite warnings from meteorologists and the National Weather Service, beachgoers in Ventura, California were left in quite a pickle after a massive rogue wave washed ashore and ultimately left at least eight people hospitalized.
Footage shared online initially captured a group of people venturing to the coast to get eyes and ears on the state’s extreme surf; however, within a few moments, multiple residents went running inland as a rogue wave slammed into the sea wall Beachgoers tried to flee the scene, but many appeared to get swept up by the colossal wave. A truck even seemed to have trouble escaping the rogue wave’s torrent.
Huge rogue wave in Ventura California sends bystanders running for their lives. pic.twitter.com/HuP0qWju3F
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) December 29, 2023
Ventura, or San Buenaventura, is a coastal city and popular tourist destination that is located about an hour northwest of Los Angeles. According to the city's fire department, the rogue wave slammed into the beach at the end of Seward Avenue.
The department added that “eight people were transported to local hospitals” after the wave slammed into onlookers.
"For your safety, please avoid the area near the ocean, as it can be quite dangerous,” the fire department said.
Rio Del Mar Esplanade is currently flooded. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/seZbMIAJcF
— Santa Cruz County (@sccounty) December 28, 2023
The National Weather Service on Thursday issued a warning to Californians along the coastline between Central and Southern California, underscoring that there was an “extreme risk” of “dangerous surf, life-threatening rip currents and coastal flooding”.
The service's Bay Area branch also advised people to “stay out of and well away from the water” and to “keep a close eye on kids and pets,” adding that the ocean’s waves would be “deadly” as they have the ability to "easily overpower the strongest swimmers."
A coastal flood advisory remained in effect until 2 p.m. local time on Friday, and a high surf warning was called off at 6 a.m., with waves measuring between 28 feet and 33 feet, said the National Weather Service in San Francisco.
“[The waves] are deadly due to their size and the potential run-up — our biggest concern is people getting too close to the water and potentially getting swept in,” added Alexis Clouser, a weather service meteorologist.
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