January 12, 2024 - King tides are expected to roll back into Southern California, bringing high surf, strong rip currents and a threat of moderate coastal flooding in some areas this week.
According to the National Ocean Service, a king tide is a non-scientific term people often use to describe exceptionally high tides. Officials are warning that massive surf can bring dangerous swimming conditions and rip currents that have the potential to pull people out to sea.
The next round of high surf and strong rip currents could impact the LA/Ventura county beaches first, reaching 7 to 9 feet today, according to the National Weather Service. Elevated surf is expected to bring waves nearing 7 feet to Orange and San Diego beaches through the weekend. Stay up to date on the forecast from the National Weather Service.
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) urges Californians to use caution and follow all ocean safety tips.
- When in doubt, don’t go in.
- Keep children within easy reach.
- Be aware of changing tides and weather conditions.
- Watch for unexpected large waves.
- Be aware of floating debris.
Rip currents are the number one risk at most beaches. If caught in a rip current:
- Stay calm, don’t fight the current.
- Swim out of the current parallel to the shore. Once out of the current, swim back to shore.
- If you can’t escape, float or tread water.
- Call or wave for assistance.
High surf can cause damage and injuries, which was the case in the video below.
View video here.
Source: Cal OES
