Newport Beach Lifeguards Conduct 516 Rescues as King Tides Threaten Southern California Coast
Updated
Updated · Los Angeles Times · Jun 15
Newport Beach Lifeguards Conduct 516 Rescues as King Tides Threaten Southern California Coast
3 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · Jun 15
Summary
516 rescues and 12,104 preventive actions were logged by Newport Beach lifeguards from June 6 to Monday, an unusually high total for one early-summer week.
Dangerous rip currents, sneaker waves and king tides are expected to keep Southern California beaches hazardous through Wednesday, with the highest tides forecast in the evening.
Newport Beach has warned residents about flooding, distributed sandbags and told motorists to avoid low-lying areas or drive slowly through flooded streets to limit damage.
Recent crowds were somewhat reduced by colder water and schools still being in session, officials said, suggesting rescue totals could have been even higher.
The coastal danger has already turned deadly elsewhere in California: one woman died and another was critically injured in Santa Cruz, and a 5-year-old girl swept away in high surf was found dead in Laguna Beach.