High Surf — Orange County Coastal, California

2015-02-08 to 2015-02-10 · Orange County Coastal, California

Event narrative

At 1330PST on the 8th Laguna beach lifeguards reported an 18 year old male swept off the rocks and into a cave by 5 to 8 ft surf. Lifeguards were unable to locate the 18 year old, and he became a confirmed fatality on the 19th of February when his body was recovered near the south end of Shell Beach in Three Arch Bay. Surf of 8 to 10 ft with occasional sets to 15 ft was reported by the Huntington Beach lifeguards from 1300PST on the 8th until 1600PST on the 10th. At 0700PST on the 10th Surfline reported 5 to 7 ft surf at Salt Creek Beach.

Wider weather episode

An elevated long period swell brought high surf to the beaches of Southwest California from the 8th to the 10th of February. There was 1 fatality reported near Laguna Beach.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 563043. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.