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Photos, videos show mammoth waves hitting Bay Area shoreline
SFGATE • • general
Key Points:
- The Bay Area coast experienced extreme waves from Friday to early Sunday, causing flooding, road and beach closures, and evacuation warnings for nearly 300 homes near the shoreline.
- The National Weather Service issued its highest-level "extreme" weather risk warning, forecasting waves between 25 to 35 feet, with some reaching 50 feet, and urged people to avoid beaches and shorelines due to dangerous sneaker waves.
- Despite warnings, many bystanders gathered to watch the waves in areas like Santa Cruz, Pacifica, and Half Moon Bay, where strong surf damaged infrastructure and led to three surfer rescues.
- Meteorologists attribute the unusually high November waves to an extreme low-pressure system offshore generating and intensifying swell as it moves toward the West Coast, a rare event according to historical buoy data.
- Officials warn that although a lull is expected on Sunday, a second swell will arrive Monday, urging the public to remain off beaches even during calmer periods for safety.
