Distant Storm Brings Danger to Local Beaches

Lifeguards have rescued thousands of swimmers and surfers off Orange County beaches this week, as a hurricane at sea has besieged the coast with large waves and strong rip currents.

Hurricane Dolores off the coast of Baja California has created waves of 5 and 6 feet and a dangerous undertow, lifeguards said.

In Huntington Beach, lifeguards recorded more than 500 rescues or “near rescues” on Thursday. In Newport Beach, they logged 200 the same day. That paled in comparison to Wednesday, when Huntington Beach lifeguards alone rescued more than 2,000 people, night supervising lifeguard Eric Hill said.

Weather experts say Dolores, which originated Wednesday south of Baja California, is moving toward Hawaii, which means riptides and waves are expected to weaken today.

Although Thursday’s swells were only in the medium range, thousands of beach-goers underestimated the strength of the waves and currents, lifeguards said.

“Ninety-nine percent of the people [at the beach] shouldn’t be in the water,” said John Blauer of the Newport Beach Fire and Marine Department. “We have got red flag conditions out there.”

On Thursday, 21-year-old Gloria Vaczques and her mother had only waded into the water in Newport Beach when a large wave broke on them, slamming them down. Within a minute, a rip current pulled Vaczques out to sea and submerged her, Blauer said.

She was unconscious when lifeguards pulled her from the ocean and resuscitated her. She was taken to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, where she is expected to recover, Blauer said.

“She probably wasn’t a real strong swimmer and the riptide was just too strong,” Blauer said.

In Huntington Beach, at least three beach-goers were sent to hospitals with minor cervical injuries, Hill said. More than half a dozen people were treated for minor surfing-related injuries.

Lifeguards warned beach-goers of the conditions at least 90 times Thursday through a loudspeaker system, asking visitors to use caution, avoid certain parts of the beach and stay near the lifeguard towers.

“Today was a hard day,” Hill said. “People don’t realize what they are getting into, and soon enough they realize that they are in a situation they can’t control.”

Though the riptides and waves are expected to weaken by today, Hill said, lifeguards are ready for the worst.

“It is not that uncommon for us to be this busy” this time of year, he said. “We expect it to go on like this. If it doesn’t, then we’re lucky. If it continues, then we are prepared for it.”