Shocking Videos Show Massive California Flooding Amid Evacuation Warning

Residents of Northern California are facing evacuation orders and warnings as the Golden State experiences a rash of coastal flooding.

Videos of flooded roads and pedestrian areas emerged online on Thursday, while some residents of Santa Cruz County and Marin County were warned to evacuate their homes due to the life-threatening flooding.

The National Weather Service (NWS) indicated that a high surf warning was in effect for multiple areas of the Central and Northern California coastline through 3 a.m. local time on Friday. Residents were cautioned that "conditions are deadly" and that they should "never turn your back on the ocean."

"The ocean is NOT your friend today!" NWS wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "High Surf Warning in effect until 3 AM Friday for very dangerous waves up to 28-33 feet, 40 feet possible in favored locations. Stay away from rocks, jetties, piers, and other waterside infrastructure. Never turn your back to the ocean!"

The Santa Cruz division of the California Highway Patrol posted images and video of a flooded Rio Del Mar Esplanade to X, while warning those in the area to stay away.

"Rio Del Mar Esplanade is currently flooded," the post reads. "Please avoid the area and do not attempt to drive across flooded areas. Road closures are in effect, so please do not drive around them. Drive with caution and prioritize safety."

Minutes later, Santa Cruz County posted the following evacuation warning to X: "An evacuation warning has been issued for CTL-E048 - coastal areas near Seacliff State Beach, please be prepared to leave should an evacuation order be issued."

A short time earlier, the county had shared a video of a flooded road near Rio Del Mar Esplanade," alongside a warning to "please avoid the area."

The situation was even worse in Marin County, where officials issued an "immediate" evacuation order in the Stinson Beach area on Thursday morning.

"Stinson Beach Fire issues EVACUATION ORDER for Calles Pinos, Pradero, Sierra, Onda Resaca, Ribera, and Embarcadero, as well as sections of Calle Del Arroyo due to high surf and storm surge," reads a message shared on Marin County's Emergency Portal website.

"Residents and visitors must evacuate immediately for life safety," the message said. "Temporary evacuation point: Stinson Beach Community Center, 32 Belvedere Ave, Stinson Beach, CA 94970. Repopulation tentatively scheduled for 3pm."

Newsweek reached out for comment to the California Highway Patrol via email on Thursday.

Flooding concerns were not limited Northern California on Thursday, with warnings being issues in coastal areas throughout the state.

Excessively high waters at Southern California's Ventura Beach resulted in first responders executing multiple water rescues, according to KEYT-TV. Dramatic videos taken in Ventura and shared online also showed what appeared to be active flooding.

"My pal who lives near the beach in Ventura just sent me this," X user @PostScottWilson wrote in a post that shared one of the videos. "Profanity warning but seems justifiable."

"Some waves washing over into the surfers point parking lot in VTA," wrote @GabouTheFrenchy while sharing another video.