Many beach fans enjoying the ocean off Newport Beach on their holiday on July 4th, wanted a rude awakening. Lifeguards rescued 350 people on Friday after the surf became dangerous.
In one instance, multiple people were rescued from a “monster rift,” according to a social media post from Newport Beach Lifeguard.
A group of more than 10 people were pulled far from the coast, scattered along the rifts of the “dog leg.” Aviation footage from a police helicopter showed rescuers jumping into the water and pulling the lifeboat into the safety of the lifeboat.
As hot summer weather and long holiday weekends attract people to the beach, the National Weather Service has issued warnings that break dangerous rifts and waves due to rising waves across the coastal areas of Catalina and the Santa Barbara Islands, Ventura and Los Angeles counties and along the Malibu coast.
The coastal areas of San Diego and Orange counties also issued strong RIP currents and warnings of dangerous swimming conditions, with the expected surf being 4-6 feet. Both warnings remain in effect until Sunday.
“The RIP flow can pull swimmers and surfers away into the ocean. The waves can wash people off the beach and rocks and capsize small boats near the coast,” the NWS said in its advice.
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