Watch rogue wave violently sweep away bystanders, vehicles in California

Video captured a rogue wave hitting a beach in Ventura, California, on Thursday, sending at least eight people to hospitals.

People watching the ocean, as well as a vehicle, are violently swept away in the footage published by Ventura County Fire Department. The incident happened during a high-surf advisory.

Meanwhile, Ventura County Fire bulldozers on Friday were building giant sand berms along the coastline in the community of Pierpont in Ventura to protect homes.

All beaches in Ventura and Oxnard were closed because of the surf warning.

The ocean wasn’t as rough Friday, the National Weather Service reported, but another round of extremely dangerous surf conditions is expected to return..

This story was originally published December 29, 2023 at 12:24 PM.

David Caraccio

The Sacramento Bee

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David Caraccio is a video producer for The Sacramento Bee who was born and raised in Sacramento. He is a graduate of San Diego State University and a longtime journalist who has worked for newspapers as a reporter, editor, page designer and digital content producer.