Waves roll in over the California coast

Giant waves have hit the California coast, with wave crests measuring up to nine meters. Pedestrians on beaches have been swept away by the massive wave force, and at the Ventura County beach outside Los Angeles, several people were injured Thursday when they were swept away by a wave.

Cars were washed away and houses were flooded. Major material damage has not yet been reported.

Even the state of Oregon to the north on the west coast of the United States has seen unusually high waves during the winter season, which is known as the holiday of daring surfers.

Many beaches were closed by authorities for safety reasons over the New Year’s holiday, although the waves are expected to decrease.

The US National Meteorological Institute NWS warns that “powerful waves and life-threatening currents pose an exceptional risk of drowning and damage to coastal structures”.

The waves and accompanying heavy rains are consequences of a powerful storm over the region. The same storm is expected to cause serious snowstorms across the Sierra Nevada over the weekend.