#high-surf

#high-surf

A powerful storm system arrives Sunday with heavy rain, thunderstorms and dangerous waves, posing threats of flooding and debris flows through early next week. The strongest impacts hit late Sunday through Monday, with 1-2 inches of rain expected in valleys and coasts, twice as much in mountains. High-surf advisory expected Monday through Thursday, with waves exceeding 10 feet across all Southern California beaches and a 20-30% chance of damaging sets midweek.

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. Lulls of 10 to 20 minutes are expected between some of the largest sets of waves, making it even more difficult to spot danger before it rushes up the beach, according to the weather service.

"In the wake of this system and the one that preceded it earlier this week, the waves are really going to build up,"

On Friday, an off-duty State Parks peace officer/lifeguard located a family in distress near the water line around 1 p.m., according to the release, as an adult male was attempting to rescue his daughter. She had been pulled out by waves that were estimated to be about 15-20 feet high. The girl's mother reportedly attempted to reach out to both father and daughter and was also swept into the water.