Lifeguards have reported almost 2,000 ocean rescues as temperatures swelter and Angelenos take to the beaches
Just last week, Los Angeles Magazine reported lifeguards made over 100 water rescues in Newport Beach last week due to tropical storm Elida’s passing along Southern California’s coast.
Rising temperatures have made beaches extremely enticing for Angelenos to spend these hot summer days. An extreme heat warning has been issued from Friday to Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
But as crowds flock to the water to cool down, lifeguards have been on high alert, monitoring the beaches for safety concerns. This past weekend, LA County Lifeguards performed almost 2,000 ocean rescues and over 500 medical aids.
“We’re expecting eight to ten-foot surf from Wednesday to Sunday and it’s going to be busy with significant rescue activity, but we’re ready for it,” said Battalion Chief and Huntington Beach lifeguard Derek Peters, according to KTLA.
In a recent article by The Guardian, about 70 million people across the country were reported to face excessive heat advisories as temperatures scorch the central, southern and east coast states.
Southern California temperatures have been overall relatively moderate compared to their counterparts in other states, yet the summer days have still felt awfully suffocating lately.
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Meteorologists point to increased humidity as the culprit from a strong El Niño season, rising ocean temperatures and increased tropical activity.
Hurricane Genevieve, the first Category 5 storm of the season, has been on experts’ radar since forming off the waters along Mexico. “While eastern Pacific Major Hurricane Genevieve poses no direct threat to land, it has become the most powerful hurricane in the waters surrounding North and Central America this year,” AccuWeather’s Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said.
As of Tuesday, Genevieve has come down to a Category 3 and is projected to become a tropical storm by the time it reaches the west coast of Mexico and California. Despite this, the rough waters still pose a threat to swimmers, surfers and small crafts.
High surf advisory and beach hazard statements have been initiated from Wednesday to Sunday for the following places: Ventura County beaches, LA County beaches, Malibu coast, Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands, San Diego County Coastal Areas and Orange County Coastal Areas.
Lifeguards warn of the dangerous rip currents and breaking waves expected.