Hurricane Marie sparks dangerous surf and rip currents in Southern California

Hurricane Marie, located hundreds of miles off the California coast, has stirred up surf up to 10 feet and life-threatening rip currents at several south-facing beaches, officials said. The National Weather Service warned swimmers to stay near lifeguards and avoid rock jetties, while a city health officer in Long Beach ordered a three-day ban on swimming at all city beaches and bays due to runoff and potential contamination.

"We’re getting reports from lifeguards that the surf conditions are very dangerous, specifically the rip currents," National Weather Service meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld said.

Seal Beach announced the closure of two beachfront parking lots through Wednesday to protect residents from elevated surf and possible coastal flooding, though the municipal pier stayed open. In Newport Beach, lifeguard battalion chief Adam Yacenda reported 177 rescues on Saturday, noting that daily rescue counts above 100 are considered busy.

"Any time you’re approaching over 100, that’s a busy day," Yacenda said.

"We are red-flag conditions from one end of our beach to the other," he added, urging only experts to enter the water.

The storm is expected to weaken to a tropical storm by late Sunday and will bring limited rain, with some areas already receiving up to a quarter inch. The National Hurricane Center cautioned that hazardous beach conditions could persist for several more days.