- Million-dollar homes along Malibu's coastline battled massive waves as a brutal coastal storm continued to devastate California on Friday
- Strong surf was seen hitting beachfront homes in Malibu, where emergency sand barriers have been built in an effort to limit damage
Million-dollar homes along Malibu's coastline battled massive waves as a brutal coastal storm continued to devastate California on Friday.
Extraordinarily large waves, generated by powerful swells from Pacific storms, prompted closure of the pier and warnings from first responders early Friday morning.
Strong surf was seen hitting beachfront homes in Malibu, where emergency sand barriers have been built in an effort to limit damage to the expensive properties.
The exclusive coastline is a hotspot for celebrities including Lady Gaga, Paris Hilton and Kanye West.
Waves crash into a home along the California coast in Malibu Beach, California, on Friday
Strong surf was seen hitting beachfront homes in Malibu on Friday
Conditions are moderately better than Thursday, when a large wave washed over the beach in Ventura, but the National Weather Service expects larger waves Saturday and has issued a high surf and coastal flooding advisory that will remain in effect through Monday.
Seal Beach Pier was closed Friday morning as a precaution, as were the piers in Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach in Los Angeles County.
More lifeguard staff have been deployed along the Southern California coast, from Ventura County to San Diego County.
The Los Angeles-area weather bureau wrote that powerful cyclones over northern Pacific Ocean waters produced 12- to 16-foot swells, creating “tremendous wave energy over coastal waters.”
At some points in California, breaking waves were forecast to reach heights of 25 feet.
Astronomical high tides increase the risk of more coastal flooding, forecasters say.
“Overall, this is expected to be an exceptional high surf and coastal flooding event not seen in many years,” the weather service wrote.
'Be careful and follow the instructions of local authorities and lifeguards. Never turn your back to the water as harmful and life-threatening sneaker waves can occur.”
Surfers head out early Friday morning to catch the waves at Malibu Beach
Surfers stretch before surfing Friday in Malibu Beach
In Hawaii, which was also battered by the huge waves this week, the weather service downgraded a high surf warning to an advisory Friday.
Large breaking waves of 18 to 20 feet along some northern shorelines and strong currents will make swimming dangerous, the weather service said.
Eight people were taken to hospitals for treatment of injuries after Thursday's Pierpont incident, which closed beaches, piers and harbors through Dec. 31, according to Ventura County authorities.
Similar waves washed over beaches elsewhere on the California coast on Thursday, flooding parking lots and streets and prompting evacuation warnings for low-lying areas.
“We've had water on the track before, but never like this,” said Karris Kutivan, a nine-year resident of the scenic coastal city about 60 miles (97 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles.
“What it has taught me is that I want to live by the beach, not on the beach,” Kutivan said.