second California – A woman died after being swept out to sea near Yellow Bank Beach in Santa Cruz, and another woman remained in critical condition Friday, as hazardous ocean conditions continued across California. The death marks California’s second fatality tied to Pacific tro
The ocean didn’t just churn off Santa Cruz this week—it reached out and took hold fast enough to leave two women scrambling for survival.
Authorities said one woman was swept out to sea near Yellow Bank Beach on Wednesday when a powerful tide pulled them into the surf. Eight rescue swimmers got the women out of the water, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office. A second woman and a first were taken to local hospitals; one was pronounced dead. and the other remained in critical condition Friday.
The woman who died has not been identified.
Santa Cruz County Fire Department responders moved quickly. Crews believe the women were sleeping when they were caught off guard by the rapidly rising tide and dragged into the ocean. said county Fire Capt. Kyle Breton. He described how one woman was taken off the beach and up to the bluffs via helicopter. while the second was carried up in a Stokes basket.
The Santa Cruz rescue came as California faced a broader emergency along its shoreline. The woman who died in Santa Cruz became the state’s second fatality amid ongoing hazardous conditions connected to tropical storms in the Pacific sending a strong south swell toward the coast.
Earlier this week, the body of missing 5-year-old Amada Mia Brown of San Bernardino was recovered in Laguna Beach on Thursday, two days after she vanished in high surf.
The swell has been more than dangerous in Southern California. In Newport Beach, this week’s surf brought historic 20-foot waves to the Wedge and triggered more than 100 lifeguard rescues.
Forecasters say the risk is far from over. A beach hazard statement remains in effect across Southern California through Monday evening. warning of dangerous rip currents and elevated surf of 3 to 6 feet. according to the National Weather Service. During that period. the weather service says there is an increased risk of drowning. because waves can wash people off beaches and capsize small boats. It also warned minor coastal flooding is possible in low-lying areas. as high astronomical tides of 7.5 to 7.9 feet are expected each evening through Monday.
Lifeguards have been urging people to stay alert when visiting beaches, and even experienced surfers have found the conditions unforgiving.
Surfer Hunter Jones said he narrowly avoided slamming into the Malibu Pier after bailing from a massive wave earlier this week. His board did not survive and smashed into the pier’s pylons. Surfboard shaper Timmy Patterson told the Orange County Register he survived a near-death experience after being caught inside a set of up to 20-foot waves at a remote break off Dana Point.
The warnings extend beyond this weekend. National Weather Service Meteorologist Carol Ciliberti said Californians are likely to see more powerful south swells this summer. She said the upcoming El Niño cycle is expected to bring a “significantly more active” hurricane season in the Pacific. which can send large surf toward the Golden State.
Santa Cruz Yellow Bank Beach ocean rescue lifeguards beach hazard statement dangerous rip currents south swell Laguna Beach Amada Mia Brown El Niño
How is anyone even going near the water when it’s doing that.
They said tropical storms in the Pacific?? so basically it’s the kids fault for swimming? idk, people just be ignoring the signs. also why were they sleeping at the beach??
Wait so they got them out with rescue swimmers and one still died… that’s just so sad. I keep thinking if tides are rising fast then how come the beach didn’t warn them more like 5 minutes earlier.
Swell from tropical storms like… doesn’t that hit far away and then somehow turns into rip currents? My cousin said Yellow Bank Beach is always sketchy and people still go there at night. I feel bad for the family though, no matter what.