May 04--A recent storm near New Zealand has triggered a local high-surf advisory as waves sent toward Southern California's coast are set to hit shore Monday and Tuesday, the National Weather Service said.
The storm churned up a powerful swell Thursday and Friday and sent waves toward the Pacific Coast, where in recent days people from Chile to Mexico have drowned as powerful waves and riptides have pulled swimmers out into the water and under.
"Once those waves are created, they keep traveling until they reach land," said David Sweet, a weather service meteorologist. "So we can thank our friends Down Under."
The biggest waves are due to hit Southern California Monday and Tuesday -- where waves as high as 15 feet are predicted at the Wedge in Newport Beach and sets as high as 6 feet could land in Zuma Beach.
"Large waves can sweep people off of jetties and waves may wash over sea walls," the weather service warned.
The Wedge traditionally generates some of the biggest waves in Southern California because of its south-facing beach combined with its underwater topography and nearby jetty that bounces waves back onto themselves.
The waves grow rapidly and crash close to shore and have been known to severely injure surfers, sometimes fatally.
But for most beachgoers, the danger is the unexpected waves that will pull a bystander into the water or a rip current that can pull a swimmer deeper into the sea.
"Never turn your back to the ocean," Sweet said, "you don't want any waves sneaking up on you."
Los Angeles County lifeguards set a department record for rescues in a single year in 2014 amid a spell of powerful storms that ripped up the coastline and created more rip currents than usual.
The powerful swell is being partnered with a small storm that could bring some light rain to Orange, Los Angeles and Ventura counties later in the week. The high-surf advisory is expected to expire Tuesday night.
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