Massive waves and coastal flooding are wreaking havoc for a third day in many of California’s coastal communities, where extreme conditions have forced water rescues, washed away cars and injured a handful of enthralled onlookers.

The unusually large surf – often towering over 20 feet – has prompted beach closures along the California coast and sent damaging deluges of water into several beachside streets, homes and businesses.

In hard-hit Ventura County, waves have surged over seawalls and carried parked cars down the street and into significant intersections, blocking first responders’ paths, fire captain Brian McGrath told CNN affiliate TNLA. Flooding in a local hotel also caused damage in all of its ground-floor rooms, he said.

    • Candelestine@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      You’d be surprised. Where a place like Florida is flat and low elevation, where a huge amount of coastline is vulnerable, Cali is pretty mountainous. I’m not worried about them.

      • bobs_monkey@lemm.ee
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        10 months ago

        Good call. The more low lying areas will get consumed, like downtown Laguna, CDM, parts of Newport, etc, but high ground areas will become beachfront property. The issue then lies with navigable routes, as areas like Laguna (and Laguna Canyon) will be destroyed leaving many of those people stranded.