California steels for storms that could trigger massive waves, flooding

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California was bracing Friday for a storm series packing heavy rain and surf that could once again flood coastal communities and potentially see ...

LOS ANGELES, Nov 14 — California was bracing Friday for a storm series packing heavy rain and surf that could once again flood coastal communities and potentially see monster waves pound shores.

Off the coast of San Francisco, Southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast, forecasters warned that up to 30-foot (9 metre) breaking waves could arrive Friday evening, with occasional monstrous sets of 40 to 50 feet possible.

Such violent waves in the Pacific are a trademark of the El Nino weather pattern, which this year has driven disruptions around the globe as it turbocharges the impacts of human-caused climate change.

“Large breaking waves will run up beaches and crash over seawalls, inundating adjacent, low-lying infrastructure,” read the last National Weather Service advisory.

The US weather agency urged against entering the water and said to stay off waterside infrastructure including jetties, piers and rocks.

Further south near Los Angeles forecasters said widespread rainfall would begin Friday and continue into Saturday, and elevated surf could fuel dangerous rip currents and breaking waves.

The greatest impact of the surf was expected to see peaks on Saturday and potentially again Monday, the NWS said.

“There is potential for moderate coastal flooding impacts at times, especially Saturday,” read the latest advisory from the weather agency.

“Some of these impacts may be moderate to significant beach erosion and shallow flooding of normal dry beaches and walkways.”

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