INSTRUCTIONS

Don’t be fooled by an ocean that looks calm. There can be 30 minutes of small waves before a sneaker wave strikes. Avoid rocks and jetties. Avoid steep beaches. Stay much farther back from the water and never turn your back on the ocean.

DESCRIPTION

* WHAT…Increased threat of sneaker waves from strong set behavior expected.

* WHERE…Coastal Del Norte, Northern Humboldt Coast, Southwestern Humboldt and Mendocino Coast Counties.

* WHEN…From Saturday evening through Monday afternoon.

* IMPACTS…Large, unexpected waves can sweep across the beach without warning, sweeping people into the sea from rocks, jetties, and beaches. These sneaker waves can also move large objects such as logs, crushing anyone caught underneath.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…In addition, an upcoming new moon will bring higher than usual tides and strong tidal swings. This can increase the chances of getting caught in quickly rising tides with a building swell. Higher tides will also increase wave washover on rocks and jetties.