California lifeguards wiped out from extreme weather
Lifeguard captain Pono Barnes said a busy summer weekend usually brings 300 to 500 rescues, underscoring the surge in dangerous surf.
- Last weekend, Los Angeles County lifeguards performed a record 1,950 ocean rescues, with Captain Pono Barnes calling the surge "staggering" compared to typical weekends of 300 to 500.
- Tropical swells generated by Hurricanes Elida, Fausto, and Genevieve off Mexico have slammed the shore for two weeks, creating waves at 1.8m that threaten inexperienced swimmers with dangerous currents.
- Sporting the red trunks made famous on the TV show "Baywatch," Lifeguard Maximus Oberto performed 30 rescues himself during his nonstop shift, calling it "probably the busiest day of my whole career."
- Beyond the coast, the heat wave fueling these surf conditions raises wildfire risks across the American West, with thousands of firefighters battling one million acres burned in Oregon over two weeks.
- California Governor Gavin Newsom has prepositioned firefighters in several counties as a precaution, while climate scientist Daniel Swain warns of "a significant uptick in fire activity" with temperatures reaching 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
22 Articles
22 Articles
California heat wave drives beach rush as rip currents trigger 1,950 rescues in Los Angeles
What may have looked like a simple way to cool down during California's punishing heat instead became dangerous along the Los Angeles County coast, where crowded beaches, high surf, and strong rip currents put thousands of swimmers at risk. According to AFP, as reported by TAG24, lifeguards made a record 1,950 ocean rescues. What happened? Hot, humid weather has been pushing huge crowds toward California beaches in search of relief. Since the st…
Over the weekend, relief workers attended to emergencies on the beaches of Los Angeles; conditions were caused by Hurricane Genevieve
L.A. County Lifeguards Make Nearly 2,000 Rescues
Los Angeles County lifeguards carried out nearly 2,000 rescues over the weekend as soaring temperatures and hazardous ocean conditions brought massive crowds to Southern California beaches. The intense heat sent thousands of people to the coast seeking relief, while a storm off Mexico’s Baja Peninsula generated large waves and dangerous surf along the shoreline. Lifeguards say the combination of warm weather, rough seas, and unusually warm ocean…
At least 1,950 ocean rescues made this weekend as dangerous swells keep L.A. County lifeguards busy
A lot of people headed to the beach to cool off this weekend. L.A. County lifeguards made 1,950 rescues this weekend, according to the L.A. County Fire Department.
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