Pier Shuts Down, 12-Foot Waves Possible In Seal Beach: Surf Advisory

SEAL BEACH, CA — Steer clear of the ocean water this New Year's Day weekend, Seal Beach — the National Weather Service issued a surf advisory for the entire Orange County coast due to dangerous surf conditions.

The advisory comes after a massive rogue wave crashed into a beach in Ventura, inciting panic in beachgoers and hospitalizing eight people. The frantic race to outrun the wave was caught on tape.

The powerful surf prompted law enforcement officials to shut down the Seal Beach Pier out of an abundance of caution.

The big swells are the result of storms over the Pacific Ocean being pushed toward shorelines, causing localized flooding.

Forecasters urged people to stay off rocks and jetties, and to not turn their backs to the ocean because of the danger of “sneaker waves” — occasional much bigger waves that can run far up the sand and wash someone off a beach.

In Seal Beach, residents can expect flooding of lots, parks and roads as forecasters anticipate "dangerously large breaking waves" ranging from six to 12 feet with sets to 15 feet.

The high surf advisory is expected to last until 2 a.m. Monday, with the highest surf hitting Orange County on Saturday.