High Surf — Los Angeles County Coasts Including Downtown Los Angeles, California

2014-08-26 to 2014-08-27 · Los Angeles County Coasts Including Downtown Los Angeles, California

Event narrative

Large southeast swells from Hurricane Marie generated high surf conditions along local beaches. Surf heights between 15 and 20 feet were reported at local beaches, including Cabrillo and Malibu. The swell and surf generated significant rip current activity which resulted in over 300 rescues by Los Angeles county lifeguards. At the time of high tide, some minor coastal flooding occurred including the flooding of some apartments in Seal Beach. Officials at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach made initial damage estimates between 20 and 40 million dollars.

Wider weather episode

Hurricane Marie, which reached Category 5 status, generated a very large southeast swell that impacted the coast of Southern California with high surf, dangerous rip currents and numerous damage to piers, breakwalls and other infrastructure. Based on historical data, this particular level of surf event occurs once every 10 years, but this particular event was the most significant in the last 30 years. Surf heights between 15 and 20 feet were common at the peak of the event. At the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, initial damages estimates of $20-40 million were reported.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 536430. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.