Rogue wave sends onlookers in California fleeing, injuring at least eight people as devastating storms batter the West Coast and cause mass evacuations

Huge waves pounded California on Thursday as a large swell caused by storms over the Pacific Ocean moving toward the coastline caused coastal flooding and prompted evacuation warnings.

In Ventura, bystander video showed a wave crashing against a sea wall, sending a panicked crowd of onlookers fleeing inland as water rushed toward them. Eight people were injured, KETY-TV reported.

Evacuation warnings were issued Thursday morning in coastal Marin County and expanded to Santa Cruz County and Capitola Village later in the day.

Waves could range from 90 to 30 feet, and in some locations as high as 40 feet, the National Weather Service said in a flash bulletin, adding that there were reports of flooding in low-lying coastal areas.

Forecasters urged people to stay away from rocks and jetties, and not to turn their backs on the ocean because of the danger of 'sneaker waves' – occasionally much larger waves that can reach far up the sand and kill someone being washed off a beach.

Conditions could worsen over the weekend as the storm system arrives from the Pacific, especially in Southern California, where San Diego is expected to see the highest surf on Saturday.

Eight were injured in the incident when huge waves crashed into California on Thursday

Conditions near San Francisco are expected to improve early Friday, while Los Angeles will experience high surf and coastal flooding until 10 p.m. Saturday.

'Everyone must stay out of the water due to life-threatening surfing conditions. Stay away from jetties, piers and other waterfront infrastructure,” the NWS urged.

In Aptos, at the north end of Monterey Bay, surf washed over the beach Thursday and crashed into a parking lot, leaving the area littered with debris.

Local business Venus Spirits Cocktails and Kitchen Beachside posted security camera footage showing waves crashing into the outdoor dining area.

In a GoFundMe campaignthe owners said they were unable to return to the business to assess the damage, and that they were still recovering from similar flooding almost a year ago.

“Mother Nature is angry,” said Eve Krammer, a longtime Aptos resident. “I mean, these waves are gnarly. They're huge.'

The same area was ravaged by the ocean last January, when the west coast was ravaged by numerous atmospheric rivers.

“I feel for the people who live low here,” said Jeff Howard, another Aptos resident.

A storm system is observed heading towards the Pacific coast on Thursday, creating huge waves

In Ventura County, CA, coastal flood warnings and high surf warnings are in effect for the rest of the week

The streets in Capitola, California, Thursday, December 28, 2023 are flooded. Strong surf is rolling over beaches on the West Coast and Hawaii as a large swell generated by the stormy Pacific Ocean pushes toward coastlines. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

The streets in Capitola, California are flooded on Thursday. Powerful surf rolls over the beaches of the West Coast and Hawaii as a large swell generated by the stormy Pacific Ocean pushes towards the coastline

Storm debris in Aptos' Rio Del Mar neighborhood Thursday after storm-driven waves caused flooding

A man carries a woman through storm debris in the Rio Del Mar neighborhood of Aptos after the area was flooded

Although not as large, the waves along Southern California were also described as dangerous, with life-threatening rip currents. Still, surfers couldn't resist.

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

“I waited a while because the waves were really sick, and it's kind of hard to get into even though I have a really big board,” he said. “I was just waiting for a good one and I got it and it took a long time. Quite big. It was sick.”

In Hawaii, forecasters predict surf to rise to 30 to 40 feet along the north coast and to 20 to 20 feet along the west coast of five islands.

Professional Hawaiian surfer Sheldon Paishon got ready to surf Thursday morning at Makaha, a world-famous surfing beach on the west side of Oahu.

Paishon, 30, has been surfing several spots around Oahu this week, taking advantage of the waves during this week's high surf warning that was in effect until Friday morning.

“There are always big waves in the winter in Hawaii,” he said.

Large waves crash near Capitola, which was under an evacuation warning due to coastal flooding

Crews worked to clean up damage in Ventura even as more powerful storms and rain move toward the coast

In Ventura County, CA, coastal flood warnings and high surf warnings are in effect for the rest of the week

A utility worker runs from incoming water while inspecting broken power lines at The Venetian motel in Capitola

Waves splashed beneath a Stinson Beach home that was under an evacuation warning Thursday

A beachgoer standing on a sand berm looks at high surf near Manhattan Beach, California, on Thursday

He warned that novice surfers should contact lifeguards before entering the water and “make sure you have some people around you and stay safe.”

Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguards stationed at beaches across Oahu rescued 20 people along the island's famed North Shore on Wednesday, spokesman Shayne Enright said. They were also conducting thousands of “preventative actions,” she said.

“This time of year produces incredible waves, but it can also be very dangerous,” she said.

The dangerous surf could also create waves that could hit coastal areas and roads, the weather service warned.