The National Weather Service has warned beachgoers in Orange County and San Diego County of hazardous ocean conditions on Oct.
18, citing powerful waves, dangerous rip currents and possible coastal erosion.
The advisory projects surf of 3 to 6 feet through Tuesday morning, with south-facing beaches, particularly around Huntington Beach, facing additional risks from tidal overflow.
The NWS San Diego office said breaking waves could endanger swimmers, surfers and people standing near the shoreline.
Minor beach erosion and water overflowing onto coastal areas were also possible as elevated surf persisted.
Rip current and drowning risk
In its beach hazards statement, the agency described the expected conditions and their duration.
"Dangerous rip currents and breaking waves due to elevated surf expected.
Surf will build to 3 to 6 feet Sunday and persist through Tuesday morning," the NWS San Diego office said.
The weather service also highlighted the increased danger to anyone entering the ocean or approaching exposed coastal structures.
"There is an increased risk of ocean drowning. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea.
Waves can wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats nearshore," the NWS said.
Officials advised the public to avoid entering the water while hazardous conditions continue.
People visiting the coast were also urged to remain close to staffed lifeguard towers and keep away from rock formations exposed to breaking waves.
"Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers.
Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay off the rocks," the NWS said.
The warning follows the coastal impacts of Post-Tropical Cyclone Rachel, which brought heavy rainfall, strong winds and elevated surf to San Diego County in the preceding days.
Earlier reports documented coastal flooding concerns, substantial rainfall totals and erosion at several North County beaches.
Preliminary NWS measurements for the three days ending early Oct.
12 showed 1.92 inches in Oceanside, 1.93 inches in Carlsbad, 2.47 inches in Fallbrook and 2.36 inches in Valley Center.
Higher elevations received substantially more rain, including 6.20 inches at Palomar Mountain's Palomar CRS station.
At Tamarack State Beach in Carlsbad, erosion had removed sand and affected parking access, while Cardiff State Beach experienced shoreline disruption and closures.
Carlsbad resident Anne Vance described the changes at Tamarack as a significant loss for the community.
"This was like one of Carlsbad's favorite, favorite beaches for everyone to come, and to see it like this, it's really it's heartbreaking," Vance said.
California State Parks planned to meet with coastal engineers to assess the damage at Tamarack State Beach and update repair plans.
The beach remained closed until further notice, according to the Oct. 11 report published by NBC San Diego and updated Oct.
13.
The latest advisory covering Orange County and San Diego County continued to emphasize the danger posed by rip currents, breaking waves and coastal flooding as elevated surf persisted into the following week.
