Hurricane Marie, positioned far out in the Pacific, generated significant wave action and dangerous rip currents along Southern California's coastline over the Labor Day weekend, leading to numerous rescues and public safety warnings.
National Weather Service meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld described the conditions as "life-threatening," with surf reaching up to 10 feet at some south-facing beaches. Lifeguards in Newport Beach reported 177 rescues on Saturday, a number considered significant even for a busy summer day. Adam Yacenda, lifeguard battalion chief for the Newport Beach Fire Department, advised that only experienced swimmers should enter the water due to powerful currents moving both along the shore and out to sea.
The hurricane, while not expected to make landfall and projected to weaken to a tropical storm, contributed to rainfall in parts of Los Angeles County. The National Weather Service recommended that beachgoers swim only in areas supervised by lifeguards and avoid rock jetties.
Long Beach's city health officer issued an advisory urging a halt to swimming in city beaches and bays for at least three days, citing potential unhealthy conditions from storm runoff. In Seal Beach, two beachfront parking lots were closed until Wednesday morning to mitigate risks associated with elevated surf and potential coastal flooding. The Seal Beach Municipal Pier remained accessible.
Authorities anticipate these hazardous beach conditions will persist for another couple of days. The storm also carried the potential for coastal flooding affecting beachfronts, bike paths, roads, and low-lying neighborhoods.