Beach Hazards Statement Issued for Catalina, Santa Barbara Islands, Ventura County Beaches, Malibu Coast
The National Weather Service warns of dangerous rip currents and elevated surf from late Tuesday through Thursday evening.
3 reports on this incident · first at Aug 25, 2026, 3:31 p.m. ET
Earlier reports
Aug 25, 2026, 3:37 p.m. ET
NWS Warns of Increased Drowning Risk From Rip Currents on Catalina, Ventura County Beaches, Malibu Coast
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles has issued a Beach Hazards Statement warning of an increased risk of ocean drowning from dangerous rip currents and elevated surf along Southern California coasts. The statement is in effect from 5 a.m. Wednesday, August 26, through 11 p.m. Thursday, August 27, covering Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands, Ventura County Beaches, the Malibu Coast, and Los Angeles County Beaches.
The Weather Service said rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea, waves can wash people off beaches and rocks, and small boats can be capsized nearshore. It advises people to remain out of the water due to hazardous swimming conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers, and to stay off rock jetties, which it said can be deadly in such conditions.
Aug 25, 2026, 3:31 p.m. ETFirst report
Beach Hazards Statement Issued for Southern California Coasts
The National Weather Service Los Angeles has issued a Beach Hazards Statement for Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands, Ventura County Beaches, Malibu Coast, and Los Angeles County Beaches, effective from 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, through 11:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2026. The statement was issued at 12:25 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
The warning cites an increased risk of ocean drowning, with rip currents that can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea, and waves that can wash people off beaches and rocks and capsize small boats nearshore. The NWS advises remaining out of the water due to hazardous swimming conditions, or staying near occupied lifeguard towers, and warns that rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, urging people to stay off the rocks.
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Revision history
- Version 125 Aug 2026, 19:37current
First published.
- Version 125 Aug 2026, 19:31current
First published.
- Version 125 Aug 2026, 19:40current
First published.
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