Million-dollar homes along the Malibu coastline are battling huge waves as a relentless coastal storm continued to bash California on Friday.
Extraordinarily large waves, generated by powerful swells from Pacific storms caused pier closures early Friday morning and warnings from first responders.
Powerful surf was seen crashing against beachfront homes in Malibu, where emergency sand barriers have been constructed in an effort to limit the damage to the expensive properties.
The exclusive coastline is a property hotspot for celebrities including Lady Gaga, Paris Hilton and Kanye West.
Waves smash against a home along the California coast in Malibu Beach, California on Friday
Powerful surf was seen crashing against beachfront homes in Malibu on Friday
Conditions are moderately better than Thursday, which saw a large rogue wave sweep a beach in Ventura, but the National Weather Service expects bigger waves on Saturday and has issued a high surf and coastal flood advisory that will remain in effect through Monday.
Seal Beach Pier was closed for precautionary measures Friday morning, as well as piers in Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach in Los Angeles County were also shut.
Increased lifeguard staffing has been put in place up and down the Southern California coast from Ventura County to San Diego County.
The Los Angeles-area weather office wrote that powerful cyclones over northern Pacific waters were sending 12- to 17-foot (3.6- to 5-meter) swells, creating ‘tremendous wave energy across coastal waters.’
At some points along California, breaking waves were predicted to reach 25 feet (7.6 meters).
Astronomical high tides were adding to a significant risk of more coastal flooding, forecasters said.
‘Overall, this is expected to be an exceptional high-surf and coastal flooding event that has not occurred in many years,’ the weather service wrote.
‘Take caution and heed the direction of local authorities and lifeguards. Never ever turn your back to the water as damaging and life-threatening sneaker waves are likely to occur.’
Surfers head out in the early morning to catch the waves in Malibu Beach on Friday
Surfers stretch before heading out to the surf in Malibu Beach on Friday
In Hawaii, which also was slammed by the huge swells this week, the weather service downgraded a high surf warning to an advisory Friday.
Large breaking waves of 18 to 22 feet (5.5 to 6.7 meters) along some north-facing shores and strong currents will make swimming dangerous, the weather service said.
Eight people were taken to hospitals for treatment of injuries after Thursday’s Pierpont incident, according to Ventura County authorities, who closed beaches, piers and harbors through December 31.
Similar waves overran beaches elsewhere Thursday on the California coast, flooding parking lots, streets and triggering evacuation warnings for low-lying areas.
‘We have had water down the lane once before but never like this,’ said Karris Kutivan, a 9-year resident of the scenic shoreline city about 60 miles (97 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles.
‘What it has taught me is I want to live by the beach, not on the beach,’ Kutivan said.