Beach Hazard Statement Issued For Coastal Sonoma County Ahead Of Storm

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A beach hazards statement has been issued for the entire Bay Area coast, from northern Sonoma County to Big Sur. The hazardous conditions are expected to last from 3 a.m. Thursday until 3 a.m. Saturday.

A storm that could bring up to an inch of rain to the Bay Area starting Wednesday could also bring dangerous rip currents, and sneaker waves of up to 12 feet, the National Weather Service said. On Friday, waves might reach up to 18 feet in surf zones, NWS said.

In Sonoma County, rain was expected to start after 11 a.m. Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Winds were expected to increase to 17-23 miles an hour in the afternoon, with gusts of up to 28 mph possible. On Thursday, anywhere from a tenth to a quarter of an inch of rain is expected, along with gusts of up to 24 mph. Rain and winds will likely clear by mid-Friday.

Anyone near the coast is advised to stay out of the water, far from the shoreline, stay off coastal rocks and jetties, keep children close, pet on leashes, and never turn their back to the ocean. See here for more information.