Sneakerwave — Central Coast of Oregon, Oregon

2025-10-19 · Central Coast of Oregon, Oregon

Event narrative

A person was walking on the sand near the mouth of Siletz Bay when a sneaker wave knocked them off of their feet and dragged them into the ocean. Once in the water, a strong rip current quickly swept them out to sea. They were swept out far enough that the people on the beach could not see them. The person did not survive, and their body was found on the beach around 4 miles south from where they were swept in. The 3 pm buoy observation from buoy 46050 reported a west swell of 11ft with a 16 second period.

Wider weather episode

A person was knocked off of their feet by a sneaker wave while walking on the beach near the mouth of Siletz Bay. They were then swept out to sea by a rip current.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1298751. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.