The National Weather Service is warning South Bay beachgoers to stay out of the water through Tuesday evening after issuing a beach hazards statement covering Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and El Segundo.
The NWS Los Angeles office issued the statement at 9:02 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, as reported by the Daily Breeze. It runs through 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, and covers Malibu and Los Angeles County beaches broadly. The advisory follows Tropical Storm Rachel's weekend approach, which the Los Angeles Times reported was fueled by ocean temperatures 10 to 13 degrees above normal.
The NWS warning
The agency warned of dangerous rip currents and elevated surf, with high tides expected to peak between 7.1 and 7.3 feet on Monday and Tuesday mornings. Large secondary high tides are also expected each evening.
Seawater could flood low-lying beach and harbor areas around high tide, the NWS said. Beach erosion is possible.
Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea, and waves can wash people off beaches and rocks or capsize small boats nearshore, according to the advisory. The NWS urged beachgoers to remain out of the water or stay near occupied lifeguard towers and warned that rock jetties can be deadly in these conditions.
Bacteria levels add a second concern
Separate from the surf hazard, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an Ocean Water Use Warning on Friday, Oct. 9, advising the public to avoid swimming, surfing and playing in ocean waters at certain LA County beaches due to elevated bacteria levels exceeding state health standards.
The department recommends avoiding ocean water for three days after significant rainfall, especially near flowing storm drains, creeks and rivers.
Residents can check the latest water quality status by calling the DPH beach water quality hotline at 1-800-525-5662, available 24 hours a day.
What comes next
The beach hazards statement expires at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13. The DPH's three-day post-rain bacteria window may extend into Wednesday or Thursday depending on when rainfall stopped in the South Bay.
