Monstrous 20-foot waves have caused widespread damage along the California coast, particularly in Ventura County and Seal Beach. The high surf, known as king tides, has left a trail of destruction, damaging luxury beachfront homes and businesses, and prompting evacuation warnings for residents.
In Ventura County, just west of Los Angeles, residents were warned to evacuate as officials anticipated the high surf to subside by Saturday afternoon. The coastal region has faced days of relentless pounding by the 20-foot waves. Many premium waterside properties are now in ruins, as the king tides have torn structures apart, leaving behind water-logged wreckage. For owners of these properties, the return will likely be met with the grim reality of their devastated investments.
Seal Beach, one of the areas hit hard by the high surf and coastal flood warnings, experienced serious flooding at The Beach House at Seal Beach restaurant. The parking lot was inundated with water, prompting crews to work on pumping it out. For the restaurant’s owner, Rosie Ritchie, this is the second time in less than a year that her business has been flooded due to high tides.
“I don’t know what I’m going to find when I go in there next, so I’m praying that it’s not much,” said Ritchie, expressing her concerns about the potential aftermath. “But if it is a lot, it’s going to be hard.”
The impact of the monstrous waves is clear; it has not only caused physical damage to properties and businesses, but it has also taken an emotional toll on the affected individuals and communities. As the region braces for more challenging conditions, it’s evident that recovery efforts will be arduous and costly.
