Palos Verdes To Be Hit Hardest Countywide With Massive Surf

LOS ANGELES, CA — Waves reaching up to 20 feet will continue to pound the Los Angeles County Coastline into the weekend, creating dangerous conditions and flooding, authorities warned.

The massive sets hit Los Angeles Friday a day after pounding the Central Coast and sending 9 people to the hospital in Ventura County where a sneaker wave breached a seawall. The dangerously high surf prompted officials in Manhattan Beach to close the pier Friday through Sunday.

National Weather Service forecasters said there were reports of waves reaching 16 feet in Los Angeles County Thursday. As a result, a high surf advisory that had been issued for L.A. County beaches until 10 p.m. Saturday was upgraded to a high surf warning, with waves of 8 to 13 feet anticipated, and some isolated sets possibly reaching 20 feet.

In Ventura County, the sneaker wave caught dozens by surprise, flooding several blocks of a commercial and residential area. The frantic race to outrun the wave was caught on tape.

A coastal flooding advisory will also be in effect until 10 p.m. Saturday for Los Angeles County beaches, including the Malibu coast and Catalina Island.

"These are forecast to be extremely dangerous conditions, as powerful waves and life-threatening rip currents pose an exceptional risk of ocean drowning and damage to coastal structures such as piers and jetties," according to the NWS. "Impacts will only slightly lessen into Friday -- before an additional strong wave front arrives from the NW, reinforcing extremely dangerous conditions at the beaches again on Saturday."

Forecasters said the highest surf is anticipated at west-facing beaches such as Hermosa, Manhattan and Palos Verdes.

"Flooding of sea water is likely, around the time of high tide, over vulnerable low-lying coastal areas such as parking lots, beaches and walkways," according to the NWS. "Significant damage to roads or structures is NOT expected. There is an increased risk for ocean drowning. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Large breaking waves can cause injury, wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats near shore."

The waves along Southern California were described as hazardous, with life-threatening rip currents. Nonetheless, surfers couldn't resist.

Patience was key, according to Alex Buford, 27, who was catching waves just north of Manhattan Beach on the Los Angeles County coast.

“I was waiting for awhile because the waves were really sick, and they're kinda hard to get into even though I have a really big board,” he said. “Just waited for a good one and I got it and it was a long one. Pretty big. It was sick.”

Forecasters said the area could receive some light to moderate rain Friday night into Saturday, and there's a chance of some light rain Sunday. According to the NWS, there is a "slight chance of light rain in Pasadena on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day," when the Rose Parade will make its way along Colorado Boulevard.

City News Service, The Associated Press and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.