High Surf Advisory prompts Pacifica Pier closure

Drew Tuma Image
Thursday, January 7, 2016
High Surf Advisory prompts Pacifica Pier closure
The recent storm that moved through the Bay Area Wednesday packed a punch, causing accidents, downed trees, flash flood watches and a High Surf Advisory which prompted the Pacifica Pier to close temporarily.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The storm that moved into the Bay Area Wednesday packed a punch, causing accidents, downed trees and flash flood watches for parts of the region.

It's not unusual to see the Pacifica Pier shut down when winter storms arrive, but what is different is seeing back to back El Nino influenced storms and that is creating one angry ocean.

VIDEO: Large waves along Pacifica pier draws curious spectators

Video shot earlier Wednesday showed, the incredible force of waves and it was only low tide at the time. It was one wave after the next, crashing and throwing water over the barrier.

People love to go to the Pacifica Pier to watch the seasonal battle that plays out; pitting the Pacific versus the pier.

For one resident who has lived in Pacifica for decades, he had never seen the splash zone so high before. "They hit here, that thing like they are doing and they went up and over the street hitting, splashing that guys garage. If you seen them they were 10 feet above me, the splash not the whole wave. It hit and it just threw water all over," Rae Clark said.

PHOTOS: El Nino storms pound the Bay Area

A High Surf Warning remains in effect along the coast until 2 p.m. Thursday.

VIDEO: Watch Accuweather Forecast

The combination of waves up to 20 feet with unpredictable wave patterns creates a deadly combination for anyone to venture out into.

There will be high tide in Pacifica shortly after 9pm. So, over the next few hours, the waves are only going to grow and become more hazardous.

ABC7's Live Doppler 7 HD is the most powerful radar in the Bay Area. CLICK HERE to watch this 24-hour live stream from your desktop/mobile and track the weather as it moves through the region. WATCH LIVE DOPPLER 7 HD RADAR

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