King Tide Carnage in CA: “You Wouldn’t Have a Chance” (Video)

One woman, watching the waves from a safe distance, was captivated by the waves: “They just make me in awe,” she said. “I don’t even know what to say. They’re so beautiful; they’re so invigorating; they’re so vicious; they’re amazing.”

However, she admitted that situation could turn dangerous, adding:

“Yeah, it is scary. Can you imagine being out there? It would just take you under. You would not have a chance. And to see them come up over the walls, and under the pier, yeah, so powerful. So, so powerful.”

Recently, king tides have wreaked havoc on the west coast – from surfers being rescued and 30-foot waves in Oregon, to coastal erosion and cliffs collapsing in Santa Cruz.

For a little refresher, what, exactly, are king tides? Here’s the California Coastal Commission, explaining the phenomenon:

“While the term ‘King Tide’ isn't a scientific term, it is used to describe very high tides, caused when there is alignment of the gravitational pull between sun, moon, and Earth. When King Tides occur during floods or storms, water levels can rise higher and have the potential to cause great damage to the coastline and coastal property. King Tides occur naturally and regularly, are predictable and expected, and are not an everyday occurrence.”

Back in Pacifica, another onlooker commented on the power…and the lack of surfers due to the potentially dangerous conditions:

“When you see the big waves crashing into the pier like that, flooding the roads, you see the power of nature,” he said. “You don’t wanna be going out there. I don’t see any surfers out there. [Chuckles].”