Sonoma County's Coast: Big Waves and High Tides Ahead

Sonoma County's beaches are bracing for a rough week. Big waves and high tides are on their way, bringing potential dangers and flooding. The National Weather Service has issued a warning. They say the coast could see waves up to 18 feet high. This is not a small thing. It's a big deal. The waves will keep coming. From Monday to Wednesday, waves between 10 and 14 feet are expected. These waves come from the west. They bring sneaker waves and rip currents. Sneaker waves are sneaky. They rush up the beach quickly. They can catch people off guard. Rip currents are strong. They pull people out to sea. The weather service says there will be lulls. These are breaks between big waves. They can last 10 to 20 minutes. But don't be fooled. Danger can come quickly. A beach hazards statement is in effect. It started Sunday afternoon. It will last until 10 p. m. Tuesday. But the hazards won't stop there. They will continue throughout the week. King Tides are also expected. These are exceptionally high tides. They will last from Tuesday to Saturday. The high tides could cause minor flooding. This is especially true in low-lying areas near the coast. The worst days will be Tuesday and Wednesday. That's when the peak tides and strong waves will happen together. This makes those days the most dangerous. If you're visiting the beach, be careful. Never turn your back to the ocean. Be aware of sneaker waves. They can come out of nowhere. You might be dry for 10 or 20 minutes. Then suddenly, a big wave can come. It can knock you down and pull you into the ocean.