The National Weather Service in Eureka, California has issued a sneaker wave advisory for the North Coast throughout today.
A post on their Facebook page states “Sudden larger waves may occur after periods of smaller waves. This will increase the chance of beachgoers being swept into cold ocean water.”
Providing more context as to today’s sneaker wave advisory, the NWS explained, “A long period swell will cause large surf. Sudden larger waves may occur after periods of smaller waves.”
Good weather does not indicate a low risk of sneaker waves, the NWS reminded North Coast residents, encouraging beachgoers to “Avoid steep beaches, rocks, and jetties.”
Early last year at least six tragic deaths occurred after beach-goers were swept into the Pacific Ocean:
- A Southern California educator, David Reyes Juarez, was swept into the waves of the Mendocino Headlands and died on January 2, 2021.
- Utah woman Mary Malouf was swept off the North Jetty of Humboldt Bay on December 7, 2020 later succumbing to her injuries.
- In Sonoma County, on January 5, 2021 a father drowned attempting to rescue his two young children when all three were swept out to sea.
- 12-year-old Arunay Pruthi was swept into the sea at Cowell Ranch State Beach in San Mateo County on January 18, 2021.
