High surf advisory issued for SLO County ahead of king tides
Ahead of King Tides anticipated at the end of this week and following two deadly incidents near Big Sur, all San Luis Obispo County beaches will be placed under a high surf advisory starting early Tuesday morning.
From 3 a.m. on Tuesday to 3 a.m. on Thursday, a National Weather Service advisory warning of 8- to 12-foot waves with dangerous rip currents will be in effect. Minor tidal overflows are possible from 4 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, the advisory said.
The Weather Service advised to remain out of the water and off the rocks due to dangerous surf conditions, warning that rock jetties can be “deadly” in such conditions.
The advisory spans the whole Central Coast, including all SLO and Santa Barbara county beaches.
The Weather Service warned of an increased risk for drowning in the ocean as strong rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea while large waves can cause injury, wash people off beaches and rocks and capsize small boats.
Dangerous ocean conditions in Big Sur recently
The advisory comes just weeks after two separate groups of people were swept out to sea due to rogue waves in Big Sur.
On Nov. 14, a father and young daughter both died after being pulled out to sea from the rocks at Garrapata State Beach in Big Sur.
A little over a week later on Nov. 22, at the same location, three people were washed into the ocean. Two self-rescued and were treated for minor injuries at a local hospital, while the third — a U.S. Army serviceman — was not found. Authorities called off the search on Friday.
King Tides to come
The advisory also comes ahead of King Tides predicted to hit SLO County at the end of the week.
The California King Tides Project forecasts the next King Tides to hit San Simeon and Avila Beach on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings between 8 and 10 a.m. The tides are predicted to be around 7 feet.
