High Surf Wreaks Havoc Along California Coast
By Declan Kaasler
Flooding in California Today
The Bay Area and Southern parts of the state are bracing for flooding in California today. Warmer than average North Pacific Ocean temperatures combined with an atmospheric river bringing wind toward the mountains. In addition, the timing after another storm means this storm is a recipe for disaster.
This weekend, it is likely folks will see flooding in California today as well as mudslides, landslides, 60 mph winds, and possible evacuations. Already, residents in parts of Ventura County are experiencing evacuations. Waves as high as 26 feet are also expected in the Bay Area.
Forecasters are not able to pinpoint areas of heaviest rainfall yet with potential flooding in California today. However, three to six inches of rain are expected along the coast and in valleys. While the mountains and foothills will see somewhere between six and twelve inches of rain.
California Flooding 2023
On December 28, 2023, the National Weather Service (NWS), issued a high surf warning for Ventura County, California Flooding 2023. Powerful waves over 10 feet high battered the coast, prompting beach closures and evacuation warnings.
This extreme surf event was fueled by a combination of factors, including a powerful storm in the Pacific and unusual El Niño conditions. As climate change warms the oceans and alters weather patterns, events like California flooding 2023 and the one we are seeing today may become more frequent, posing a growing threat to coastal communities.
An Onslaught from the Pacific
The NWS warned of “life-threatening surf” and the possibility of 15-foot waves, alerting residents and visitors to stay far away from the coast for California flooding 2023.
Their predictions proved accurate. As the storm reached land, the Ventura County Star reported monstrous walls of whitewater exploding onto beaches and harbor jetties across Ventura County.
Eyewitness videos captured massive waves crashing over the Ventura Pier, spraying it in cold seawater.
In the city of Ventura, waves smashed against the beach promenade, surging over railings and flowing unimpeded into the street.
Lifeguard Pulled from the Sea
The dangerous conditions even put rescue swimmers directly in harm’s way with California flooding 2023. At Mondos Beach south of Ventura, a lifeguard was dragged out into the surf when waves washed right over the beach. Video shows two brave bystanders charging into the water to pull the struggling lifeguard to safety.
Even while wearing flippers, the lifeguard who had been patrolling near Ventura Pier found it difficult to escape the surging water.
The two quick-acting beachgoers grabbed the lifeguard under both arms before the backwash could pull them even further out. They hauled the injured guard through swirling foam and onto the dry sand.
California Flooding 2023 and Rogue Wave
11 People were injured along Ventura’s South Seaward Street, when a rogue wave suddenly swept up over the embankments. Cars were sent floating as people fled from the shore.
Rogue waves can appear suddenly and without warning, cresting 2-3 times higher than
surrounding waves. They can catch beachgoers off guard, pulling them into the powerful backwash.
Rogue waves stem from a combination of factors. When swells from multiple storms converge at just the right angle, their peaks can combine to form an exceptionally large wave.
Waves also gain height and power when they encounter shoaling water near shore. Rogues seem to appear at random, making them difficult to predict and extremely dangerous.
Contributing Factors of California Flooding 2023
Several elements aligned to produce the extreme surf along California’s flooding 2023 coastline that day. A powerful storm in the northern Pacific generated massive swells aimed directly at the West Coast. This storm alone could have produced sizable waves.
However, its impact was amplified by high astronomical tides, which raise the base sea level. El Niño conditions may have also played a role.
El Niño occurs when equatorial Pacific waters warm, altering global weather patterns. Among its effects, El Niño tends to direct more storms at Southern California, while boosting wave energy.
A Powerful Tropical Storm
The storm responsible for the giant waves originated nearly a week prior. It formed south of the Hawaiian Islands, gradually gaining strength as it spun across the Pacific.
Though it never reached hurricane status, The storm still packed rain and high winds.
Over several days, it churned up the ocean, radiating swells in all directions.
A northwest swell with massive wave energy made a direct hit on the California coast just days after Christmas.
El Niño
The arrival of El Niño likely amplifies the storms’ impact. Every 2-7 years, a shift in tropical Pacific winds and currents causes equatorial waters to warm.
This initiates a weather phenomenon called El Niño. El Niño alters the location of storms around the globe.
During El Niño, the Pacific jet stream strengthens and aim more storms at Southern California. Warmer ocean temperatures also provide more energy and moisture to storms that form or pass overhead.
This raises the likelihood of extreme waves, especially when combined with other climate factors.
A Worrying Trend at Sea?
Though a seasonal anomaly, this El Niño may offer a preview of future conditions under climate change. Warming ocean waters could enable more frequent or intense El Niño cycles.
At the same time, climate change is shifting storm tracks while fueling rising sea levels.
According to a recent Climate Central study, coastal high-surf floods will triple in frequency by 2050. This means exceptional storm-surf events will take place on top of elevated sea levels, magnifying their damage.
More powerful El Niños on a higher sea surface could spell trouble for coastal communities in decades to come. Unfortunately, this year’s devastating waves may become the norm before too long.
Unusual Ocean Conditions
These severe surf events underscore the complex ocean dynamics that can converge to create dangerous conditions. Powerful storms, changing currents, astronomical tides, shifting weather patterns, and other variables all play a role in producing noteworthy wave events.
As climate change warms the seas and disrupts delicate ocean balances, massive waves could occur more frequently. Along with melting land-ice and expanding ocean water, rising sea levels will enable ordinary storms to inflict extraordinary damage.
Coastal communities must prepare for the heightened storm surge and erosion risks. Efforts are also urgently needed to curtail emissions and remove excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and oceans.
Climate Change and Flooding in California today
Climate change poses a grave threat to coastal regions worldwide through accelerating sea-level rise. Also, it may make massive rogue waves like those in Ventura County with California flooding 2023, as well as the flooding in California today, more common through altering ocean conditions.
Warmer ocean surface temperatures provide more energy to storms, leading to stronger winds and larger swells. The marked warming in the Pacific contributes to a higher probability of intense El Niños, which can focus winter storms on the California coast. The consequences of these changes were witnessed during this recent event.
Rogue waves carry great destructive potential on their own, even without climate change. In the decades ahead, the combination of bigger storms and elevated sea levels could enable rogue waves to inflict disastrous damage. We must plan adaptive measures while supporting efforts to stabilize our climate by curbing emissions and drawing down atmospheric carbon.
Support Ocean Health – Reduce Carbon Emissions
As citizens who share the planet, we must take responsibility and reduce our personal carbon footprints. We can drive less, eat lower on the food chain, and contact elected officials to support climate action.
We can also directly support organizations working to improve ocean health. Ocean Blue Project hosts beach and river cleanups, reducing plastic pollution that threatens marine ecosystems. Their plastic removal efforts help mitigate climate change as well, given plastic production’s sizable carbon footprint
.
Consider joining an Ocean Blue Project cleanup or becoming a regular donor to fund their impactful work. With your help, we can build climate resilience while protecting the vibrant diversity of ocean life.
[Bio: Declan Kaasler is a writer with a strong passion for advocating for the climate.]