On Sunday, Newport Beach lifeguards conducted approximately 100 rescues due to high surf conditions, according to Chief Lifeguard Brian O’Rourke of the Newport Beach Fire Department.
The lifeguards responded to numerous calls involving swimmers caught in rip currents and pushed into rocks and jetties. Despite the challenging conditions, all beachgoers were safely rescued.
The high surf, driven by swells from former Tropical Storm Elida, prompted a high surf advisory from the National Weather Service. The advisory, affecting Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties, warned of large breaking waves of 4 to 7 feet, with sets up to 8 feet. The advisory remains in effect through Tuesday (July 21) night.
Lifeguards also issued over 3,000 warnings to beachgoers, emphasizing the importance of checking in with lifeguards and exercising caution while swimming. Chief Lifeguard O’Rourke advised beach visitors to be vigilant for rip currents, which can be identified by breaks in incoming waves or churning, choppy water. Swimmers caught in a rip current should remain calm and swim parallel to the shore to escape the current’s pull.
The high surf conditions follow a tragic incident in June when a young girl died after being swept away by tides in Laguna Beach. The National Weather Service continues to monitor the situation, with additional weather systems potentially bringing another surge of high surf later this week.
For more information on rip currents, visit the NOAA website.
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