Potential hazards, flooding on tap for North Bay beaches

Large waves and high tides will return to North Bay beaches this week, increasing the possibility for hazards and flooding along the Sonoma County coast, according to the National Weather Service.

Coming off a weekend of strong waves, which were predicted to reach up to 18 feet along the coast, another round is set to roll in early this week.

Breaking waves between 10 and 14 feet are expected Monday through Wednesday. The strong swell coming from the west will increase the potential for hazards such as sneaker waves — which run up beaches, rocks and jetties and can catch unsuspecting people off guard — and rip currents. Lulls of 10 to 20 minutes are expected between some of the largest sets of waves, making it even more difficult to spot danger before it rushes up the beach, according to the weather service.

As of Sunday afternoon, a beach hazards statement is effective through 10 p.m. Tuesday. However, hazards are anticipated throughout the week.

In addition to heightened waves, King Tides — or “exceptionally high tides,” according to the weather service — are expected to return Tuesday and last through Saturday. The higher tides will likely trigger minor flooding in low-lying spots near the coast, weather service meteorologist Matt Mehle said Sunday.

The peak of the tides and the stronger waves out of the west will coincide on Tuesday and Wednesday, making those the days with the highest risk for hazards and flooding.

North Bay residents visiting the beaches this week should never turn their backs to the ocean and be especially aware of sneaker waves, Mehle said.

“You can be standing on the beach, be dry for 10 and 20 minutes, or maybe even longer, then all of a sudden you get this very long period swell that rolls in… and if you’re standing in it, you get knocked out and pulled into the ocean,” he said.