Five people swept off Pillar Point Harbor breakwater by big waves

Five people were swept off the breakwater at Pillar Point Harbor this weekend.  Powerful waves driven by a storm in the southern hemisphere have been hitting south-facing beaches.  The breakwater faces the south. At 10am Sunday, the National Weather Service said these waves have reduced in strength, but could continue for a couple of days:

Southerly swells will continue to impact the California coast through today. Although swell heights have decreased to 3 to 4 feet with 16 second swell periods they are still capable of producing powerful breakers in the 6 to 8 foot range along south facing beaches. These waves will break against rocks with greater force than normal…providing a hazard for unsuspecting beachgoers.

The southerly swell is expected to slowly taper off through the first part of next week.