The National Weather Service in Eureka is warning beachgoers in Del Norte County, Humboldt County, and Mendocino County to beware of sneaker waves starting at 7 a.m. today.
“Beachgoers are urged to maintain a safe distance and to never turn your back to the ocean!” they posted Saturday evening on Facebook.
The threat is predicted to last through 9 tonight.
An earlier post by the Weather Service in 2019 described the problem:
Sneaker waves pose a danger to beach goers. Sneaker waves are large waves that seem to come out of nowhere. A sneaker wave can knock you off your feet, and potentially pull you into the ocean where survival is unlikely because of strong currents, turbulent surf, and very cold water. Do not be fooled by an ocean that looks calm. There can be 20 minutes of small waves right before a sneaker wave strikes. Avoid steep beaches, rocks, and jetties. Stay far back from the surf and do not go in after dogs that get pulled into the surf. Dogs almost always get out on their own.
Please take extra care if you visit the ocean today. The North Coast has claimed several victims when a sneaker wave unexpectedly engulfs them and pulls them off the beach.
This video by Marcella Ogata-Day taken at Moonstone Beach shows the deceptive and dangerous behavior of a sneaker wave.
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.
