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Storm brings massive waves to the West Coast

Residents look at damage to Rio Del Mar Beach in Aptos, California, on December 30, 2023. Huge surf is battering the US West Coast, with rogue waves already sweeping away pedestrians and vehicles and inundating a hotel, and forecasters warning of more danger ahead for beach communities.
Residents look at damage to Rio Del Mar Beach in Aptos, California, on December 30, 2023. Huge surf is battering the US West Coast, with rogue waves already sweeping away pedestrians and vehicles and inundating a hotel, and forecasters warning of more danger ahead for beach communities.
DANIEL DREIFUSS, AFP Via Getty Images
A rainbow appears over the Golden Gate Bridge during a storm while big waves crash over the railing at Fort Point in San Francisco, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023.
A rainbow appears over the Golden Gate Bridge during a storm while big waves crash over the railing at Fort Point in San Francisco, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023.
Santiago Mejia, San Francisco Chronicle Via AP
Powerful waves crash next to homes along the coastline on December 30, 2023 in Ventura, California. Dangerous surf churned up by storms in the Pacific is impacting much of CaliforniaÕs coastline with coastal flooding possible in some low-lying areas. A 2023 study from UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography showed that CaliforniaÕs winter waves have increased in size since 1970, a rise the study associates with global warming.
Powerful waves crash next to homes along the coastline on December 30, 2023 in Ventura, California. Dangerous surf churned up by storms in the Pacific is impacting much of CaliforniaÕs coastline with coastal flooding possible in some low-lying areas. A 2023 study from UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography showed that CaliforniaÕs winter waves have increased in size since 1970, a rise the study associates with global warming.
Mario Tama, Getty Images
Katie Murray, left, and her mother Becky Clearwater step over sand on Brunswick Lane in Ventura's Pierpont neighborhood on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. The street got 18 inches of sand when heavy waves flooded the area Thursday.
Katie Murray, left, and her mother Becky Clearwater step over sand on Brunswick Lane in Ventura's Pierpont neighborhood on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. The street got 18 inches of sand when heavy waves flooded the area Thursday.
JUAN CARLO, THE STAR / USA TODAY NETWORK
People walk on the beach in Ventura's Pierpont neighborhood on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, near sand dunes built up by Ventura County Fire Department dozers to prevent more coastal flooding after waves inundated the area Thursday.
People walk on the beach in Ventura's Pierpont neighborhood on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, near sand dunes built up by Ventura County Fire Department dozers to prevent more coastal flooding after waves inundated the area Thursday.
JUAN CARLO, THE STAR / USA TODAY NETWORK
Colin Hoag, resident of Ventura's Pierpont neighborhood, stops by to see what else he can capture with his iPhone 14 Pro, complete with cracked case, on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. Hoag's video of a rogue wave that inundated the community Thursday made news around the world.
Colin Hoag, resident of Ventura's Pierpont neighborhood, stops by to see what else he can capture with his iPhone 14 Pro, complete with cracked case, on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. Hoag's video of a rogue wave that inundated the community Thursday made news around the world.
JUAN CARLO/THE STAR, JUAN CARLO/THE STAR / USA TODAY NETWORK
Large waves crash in to Duncan's Landing north of Carmet, Ca., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 due to a Pacific storm pummeling Northern California.
Large waves crash in to Duncan's Landing north of Carmet, Ca., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 due to a Pacific storm pummeling Northern California.
Kent Porter, Santa Rosa Press Democrat Via AP
Surfers surf in Steamer's Lane amidst ongoing high waves in Santa Cruz, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.
Surfers surf in Steamer's Lane amidst ongoing high waves in Santa Cruz, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.
Stephen Lam, San Francisco Chronicle Via AP
A surfer jumps from a cliff into the water at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Powerful surf is rolled onto beaches on the West Coast and Hawaii as a big swell generated by the stormy Pacific Ocean pushed toward shorelines.
A surfer jumps from a cliff into the water at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Powerful surf is rolled onto beaches on the West Coast and Hawaii as a big swell generated by the stormy Pacific Ocean pushed toward shorelines.
Nic Coury, AP
A surfer surveys the waves before diving in for action at Waimea Bay, Hawaii, on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023. The National Weather Service has issued high surf warnings for much of the West Coast and parts of Hawaii. Warnings were in place Wednesday for parts of Oregon and Hawaii, where waves could reach roughly 30 feet.
A surfer surveys the waves before diving in for action at Waimea Bay, Hawaii, on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023. The National Weather Service has issued high surf warnings for much of the West Coast and parts of Hawaii. Warnings were in place Wednesday for parts of Oregon and Hawaii, where waves could reach roughly 30 feet.
Cindy Ellen Russell, Honolulu Star-Advertiser Via AP
A surfer surfs in Steamer's Lane amidst ongoing high waves in Santa Cruz, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.
A surfer surfs in Steamer's Lane amidst ongoing high waves in Santa Cruz, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.
Stephen Lam, San Francisco Chronicle Via AP
Large waves crash near Capitola, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Powerful surf is rolling onto beaches on the West Coast and Hawaii as a big swell generated by the stormy Pacific Ocean pushes toward shorelines.
Large waves crash near Capitola, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Powerful surf is rolling onto beaches on the West Coast and Hawaii as a big swell generated by the stormy Pacific Ocean pushes toward shorelines.
Nic Coury, AP
Sarah Thompson walks her dog while watching the surf in Stinson Beach, Calif., on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) ORG XMIT: CAES824
Sarah Thompson walks her dog while watching the surf in Stinson Beach, Calif., on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) ORG XMIT: CAES824
Ethan Swope, AP
A surfer catches a wave at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.
A surfer catches a wave at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.
Nic Coury, AP
Large waves crash along Beach Drive in Aptos, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Powerful surf is rolling onto beaches on the West Coast and Hawaii as a big swell generated by the stormy Pacific Ocean pushes toward shorelines.
Large waves crash along Beach Drive in Aptos, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Powerful surf is rolling onto beaches on the West Coast and Hawaii as a big swell generated by the stormy Pacific Ocean pushes toward shorelines.
Nic Coury, AP
People gather near debris along the beach as large waves roll in on December 28, 2023 in Ventura, California. Dangerous surf churned up by storms in the Pacific is impacting much of CaliforniaÕs coastline with coastal flooding possible in some low-lying areas.
People gather near debris along the beach as large waves roll in on December 28, 2023 in Ventura, California. Dangerous surf churned up by storms in the Pacific is impacting much of CaliforniaÕs coastline with coastal flooding possible in some low-lying areas.
Mario Tama, Getty Images
A visitor to Duncan's Landing north of Carmet, Ca., admires a large breaker rolling in to the shoreline, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.
A visitor to Duncan's Landing north of Carmet, Ca., admires a large breaker rolling in to the shoreline, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.
Kent Porter, Santa Rosa Press Democrat Via AP
A surfer dives under a large wave in Topanga Beach in Los Angeles on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Powerful surf is rolled onto beaches on the West Coast and Hawaii as a big swell generated by the stormy Pacific Ocean pushes toward shorelines.
A surfer dives under a large wave in Topanga Beach in Los Angeles on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Powerful surf is rolled onto beaches on the West Coast and Hawaii as a big swell generated by the stormy Pacific Ocean pushes toward shorelines.
Damian Dovarganes, AP
Waves crash against the Ventura Pier during high surf conditions Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.
Waves crash against the Ventura Pier during high surf conditions Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.
TOM KISKEN/THE STAR
San Buenaventura State Beach lifeguard Greg Shaner patrols the area around the Ventura Pier as high surf pummeled the shoreline Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.
San Buenaventura State Beach lifeguard Greg Shaner patrols the area around the Ventura Pier as high surf pummeled the shoreline Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.
TOM KISKEN/THE STAR
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