Hurricane Marie is generating significant swells and dangerous rip currents that are impacting the Southern California coastline, leading to flooding, water rescues, and efforts to protect homes. The storm, located in the eastern Pacific off the coast of Baja California, is not expected to make landfall in California, but its effects are being felt from Los Angeles County to Orange County.
In Seal Beach, ocean water surged into parking lots near the pier on Saturday, flooding low-lying areas and trapping vehicles. Video captured the scene of about a dozen people pushing an overwhelmed car out of the floodwaters. By Saturday night, wet sand had spread across the boardwalk, and flooding was visible along the shoreline. A Seal Beach resident of over 20 years described the waves as "crazy" and unlike the typical 1- to 2-foot surf usually experienced in the area.
Crews in Seal Beach responded by constructing a berm and pumping seawater back into the ocean. The 8th and 10th Street parking lots, which were inundated, are expected to remain closed through Wednesday.
Dangerous conditions extended to other beaches, including Manhattan Beach, where towering swells and powerful currents led to a lifeguard rescue, despite Marie remaining hundreds of miles offshore. Officials in Los Angeles County anticipate a particularly busy Labor Day weekend, with lifeguards preparing for potentially over 1,000 water rescues, nearly double the typical daily average of around 500.
Ocean lifeguard specialist Jake Miller of the Los Angeles County Fire Department stated that elevated wave heights of 3 to 5 feet, with sets reaching 6 to 8 feet at standout beaches like Zuma Beach and Malibu, are expected. Lifeguards are advising beachgoers to check conditions before entering the water and to be aware of their personal limits.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings for coastal flooding, dangerous rip currents, beach erosion, and large waves across Southern California. The agency cautioned of an increased risk for ocean drowning, with rip currents potentially becoming "widespread and very strong" and capable of pulling swimmers and surfers away from shore. Large breaking waves also pose a risk of injuring people, sweeping them from rocks and beaches, and overturning small boats near the coast.
Low-lying coastal areas, including Avalon, Long Beach's Alamitos Peninsula, and the coastline from Oxnard to Malibu, are vulnerable to seawater flooding around high tide. Coastal flood, high surf, and small craft advisories, along with a beach hazards statement, have been issued for parts of Southern California and are expected to remain in effect through Tuesday.
The National Hurricane Center anticipates Marie will steadily weaken and become a post-tropical remnant low by Wednesday. However, the storm's swells are projected to continue affecting Southern California for several more days, potentially creating life-threatening surf and rip-current conditions.
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