High Surf — Orange County Coastal Areas, California

2011-09-01 to 2011-09-03 · Orange County Coastal Areas, California

Event narrative

San Clemente Lifeguards reported damage to the San Clemente Pier when high surf caused two beams to break off in the middle section.

A female of unknown age was swept off a jetty in Dana Point, suffering significant scrapes and bruises.

Numerous beaches including Capistrano Beach were closed due to unsafe conditions and high surf. Significant beach erosion and flooding of nearby beach parking lots also occurred.

Wider weather episode

A massive southern hemisphere storm generated a large SSW swell that was tracked for days as it made its way north to southern California, where it arrived Thursday morning with 4 to 5 foot swells at 18-22 seconds. This swell generated surf of 5 to 6 feet with frequent max sets of 8 to 10 feet, with highest surf affecting Orange County beaches. Significant beach erosion occurred, along with pier and jetty damage as well as one injury.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 346450. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.