California Coast Faces Surf and Flooding Alerts

The National Weather Service issued multiple coastal hazard alerts across California for the weekend, warning of dangerous surf, sneaker waves, rip currents and localized flooding. A flood warning for coastal areas of San Diego and Orange counties runs through Sunday afternoon, with the greatest impacts expected Sunday morning as Tropical Storm Rachel combines with large swell, onshore winds and high tides; flooding, erosion and road or path closures are possible. Beach hazard statements for the Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino coasts warn that sneaker waves could sweep people and logs into the sea from Sunday morning through Monday afternoon. Central Coast beaches face minor tidal flooding, erosion, dangerous rip currents and breaking waves through Monday, while the North Bay and San Francisco Peninsula could see breaking waves up to 16 feet. Officials urge people to stay out of the water, keep away from rocks, jetties and piers, remain well back from the shoreline and never turn their backs on the ocean.