King tides return to Southern California coastlines Thursday and Friday, reaching heights 1 to 2 feet higher than normal ocean swells. The National Weather Service warns of hazardous swimming conditions, powerful rip currents and waves up to 7.8 feet in some areas through Saturday. Scientists and coastal planners are using these extreme tides to study future sea level rise and identify vulnerable communities for infrastructure planning.
Coming off a weekend of strong waves, which were predicted to reach up to 18 feet along the coast, another round is set to roll in early this week. Breaking waves between 10 and 14 feet are expected Monday through Wednesday. The strong swell coming from the west will increase the potential for hazards such as sneaker waves which run up beaches, rocks and jetties and can catch unsuspecting people off guard and rip currents.
Amanpreet Thind, 35, was swept out to ocean at Soberanes Point along the Garrapata State Park coastline on Nov. 22. On the day of the incident, a Beach Hazard Statement was in effect, the news release releases. Thind had been visiting Soberanes Point with three friends when a large wave struck the rocks, pulling him and two companions into the ocean. While the two friends were able to safely exit the water, Thind was not.
Three people have died and at least 15 were injured in separate incidents linked to rough seas battering the Spanish island of Tenerife, pulling several victims into the ocean, emergency services said. A rescue helicopter airlifted a man who had fallen into the water at a beach in La Guancha, a municipality in the north of the island, but he was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.