King tides kill two along California coast, advisories issued

King tides have claimed two lives along the California coast as dangerous conditions continue to affect beaches from San Francisco to Orange County. The National Weather Service issued advisories warning of elevated drowning risk, dangerous rip currents, and minor coastal flooding through at least late Wednesday.

On Tuesday, a five-year-old girl walking with her mother and brother at Treasure Island Beach in Orange County was swept out to sea. Bystanders rescued the mother and son, but the girl was not found until Thursday, when her body was recovered. In Santa Cruz, the tide swept two women out to sea, leaving one dead and another in critical condition.

On Saturday night, seawater poured into San Francisco’s Embarcadero as the city recorded its highest summer water level on record, according to the National Weather Service’s San Francisco Bay Area office.

The Los Angeles office of the National Weather Service said in a Sunday evening message: “Remain out of the water due to hazardous swimming conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers. Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay off the rocks.” The San Francisco office warned of an increased risk of flooding of roads, lots and parks, as well as sneaker waves, large breaking waves and strong rip currents, through Thursday morning.

In Newport Beach, city officials said the high tides could cause flooding in low-lying harborfront neighborhoods. Last week, the city manager’s office advised residents to “take precautions, including installing seawall plugs and placing sandbags in vulnerable areas.” Surfers rode massive waves as high as 20 feet at the Wedge, a famed surf break in Newport Beach, but several reported highly dangerous conditions.

Forecasts indicated southern California beaches would see dangerous rip currents and breaking waves through at least late Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. The service said there is an elevated drowning risk as conditions could pull people into the water, wash them off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats.