Bay Area beach warning follows near-drowning by sneaker wave

A Beach Hazards Statement was issued by the San Francisco office of the National Weather Service on Saturday morning and is in effect through Wednesday morning. The weather service warns of an “increased risk of sneaker waves and strong rip currents” at beaches spanning from Big Sur to the Point Reyes National Seashore. It’s worth taking seriously.

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Winds are howling across the Bay Area on Saturday, with west winds predicted to blow 13 to 18 mph and gusts to reach as high as 28 mph in downtown San Francisco. Offshore, it’s even more intense. The weather service also issued a Gale Warning for coastal waters from Point Reyes to Point Arena, in effect from 3 p.m. on Saturday until 3 a.m. on Sunday. A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect until 3 p.m. on Saturday for the same stretch of water.

“Strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility,” the weather service’s warning said. Mariners are being urged to change their plans, and seek safe harbor or secure their vessels.

Beachgoers onshore are facing a different set of risks: “dangerous swimming and surfing conditions” and waves that can surge up the shoreline without warning, dragging people into the water. “Stay off of jetties, piers, rocks, and other waterside infrastructure,” the weather service advised. “Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous surf and NEVER turn your back on the ocean.”

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The waves can be deadly. Last week, a mother and daughter visiting San Francisco from Sacramento nearly drowned when a sneaker wave swept them into the ocean at Baker Beach. The mother told KGO-TV that a wave she estimated to be 9 feet tall pulled her daughter in — she jumped in after her and held onto her daughter by her sweater until bystanders helped pull them out.