High surf with waves peaking between 9 to 21 feet high could cause flooding in Surfside and southeast of the pier in Seal Beach today.
Today’s high tides will crest at about 5:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., but the moon tides are moderate at about 4 feet. Seal Beach is expected to see waves from 9 to 15 feet high while Surfside may get some humongous waves reaching 21 feet high, according to a warning released by the Seal Beach Police Department.
As a precaution, sandbags have been made available for Seal Beach residents at the Seal Beach Lifeguard Headquarters, said Seal Beach police Sgt. Steve Bowles.
``It is unlikely that the intensity of the swell result in any significant damage, but there is reasonable chance that water may reach portions of the boardwalk during the strongest surf, which is projected Sunday during mid-morning hours,'' Bowles said.
If possible, surfers and swimmers should go into the ocean in view of lifeguards. A big surf digs divots in the beach floor, which causes undercurrents that can pull swimmers away from shore. If caught in a ``rip tide,'' lifeguards advise swimming parallel to shore until out of the current,then turning for the beach.
Wave watchers should be wary of jetties and other promontories, because bigger-than-normal sets of waves can wash over previously dry areas without warning.
-City News Service Contributed to this report.
