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Clean Up Underway In Ventura After Rogue Wave Causes Damage, Injures 8 People
Ventura County Fire Department bulldozers build sand berms to protect the Pierpoint community in the city of Ventura.
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Ventura County Fire Department
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After the Ventura County coast took the brunt of Thursday's big waves, state beaches and campgrounds in the area remain closed through Sunday.
On Thursday, eight people were injured when a large wave overtook Seaward Avenue in Ventura. Video footage shows people running away from the large wave during high tide that also damaged some businesses and residences. Officials said there had also been 14 water rescues since Thursday.
The Ventura County Fire Department built a 7-foot high sand berm overnight to protect the properties just off Pierpont Boulevard. The berm is about a mile long, running from San Pedro Street near San Buenaventura State Beach down to Greenock Lane near Marina Park.
Skip Schembari’s house sits along the sand on Ventura beach, just behind the new berm. He reinforced his garage and deck with the same sandbags that line his neighbor’s properties up and down Sharon Lane.
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“The water yesterday came up, breached the wall, came over in a wave and then didn't hit the house, thank goodness,” Schembari said.
Residents along Sharon Lane use sandbags to protect their homes from coastal flooding.
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Makenna Sieverston
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LAist
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On the beach, there were plenty of people walking along the sand surveying the damage and debris. Most people stayed behind the protective berm, but a few surfers could be seen out in the water.
Seaward Avenue bore the brunt of a massive rogue wave on Thursday. The Inn On The Beach hotel, which bumps up against Ventura beach, appeared to have extensive damage. Trucks belonging to an emergency water damage restoration company filled the hotel’s parking lot and a large dumpster packed full of furniture could be seen out front.
Neighboring businesses have mostly been able to avoid the same fate and stay dry.
A few feet from the sea wall where Thursday’s big wave hit sits Duke’s Beach Grill. Marisol Sanchez works at the restaurant and described the scene as chaotic.
“The one big old wave came down and, like, swept so many people,” Sanchez said.
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#HighSurf - Watch when a rogue wave hits the beach at the end of Seward Ave in the City of Ventura. This occurred during the high surf advisory at high tide. Because of this wave eight people were transported to local hospitals. Currently the beaches are closed in Ventura County… pic.twitter.com/VlRlgRLhpn
— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) December 29, 2023
High surf and flood warnings
The National Weather Service has issued high surf and coastal flood warnings for Ventura County through 10 p.m. Saturday. Breaking waves during high tide of 10 to 15 feet is expected, with local sets reaching up to 20 feet.
Flooding of coastal roadways, parking lots and damage to piers, jetties and other coastal structures is also expected.
Beach closures
All state beaches and campgrounds in Ventura County are closed, including the piers in Ventura and Port Hueneme. All public beaches in Oxnard are also closed, as are the harbors at Ventura and Channel Islands. For a full list of closures go here.
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The city of Oxnard is offering free sandbags until 5 p.m. Friday at the City Corporate Yard, 1060 Pacific Ave., Oxnard.
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