Joe Merchant said the High surf warning for Northern California will bring waves up to 30 feet starting Friday, Nov. 13, with the most dangerous conditions expected late Friday into Saturday. He warned that the surf could be even higher, adding: "It’s going to be no joke."
Joe Merchant and Bodega Bay
The National Weather Service meteorologist said, "It’s going to be really dangerous at the water." He also said, "We may get waves even higher than 30 feet. We just don’t know." The warning covers the Sonoma County coast, including Bodega Bay, and extends through the weekend.
Dial Hoang said waves could reach 20 to 30 feet along the Sonoma County coast. Merchant said, "Unless you’re one of those Mavericks surfers — and even then, I’d say no — you don’t want to be anywhere near it."
Christopher Ohanian at Spud Point Marina
Christopher Ohanian said Spud Point Marina in Bodega Bay is preparing by inspecting docks, checking boat lines and notifying customers about potentially dangerous conditions. He said the marina has also been working to modify older docks for unusually high tides and storm surges.
He pointed to a severe storm several years ago that brought winds exceeding 70 knots, about 80 mph, damaged pilings and left about 10 boats pushed against rocks and neighboring docks. Ohanian said of those boats, "They were all just bouncing up and down, just tearing each other apart."
Santa Cruz County and the Coast Guard
The warning follows another danger along the coast. A woman was swept out to sea on Sunday, Nov. 8, near a beach in Santa Cruz County in a combination of sneaker waves and rip currents, and the U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search for her on Tuesday morning.
Merchant said the surf now coming into Northern California is tied to storms moving south from the Pacific Northwest through Washington and Oregon and then into the region, with El Niño adding to the strength of the waves. He said, "Those conditions (over the previous weekend) were nothing compared to what’s going to be going on this time." A beach hazards statement covered the region last weekend, and another one is likely before Friday.
