Hurricane Marie became a Category 4 storm Sunday morning as it moved north, hundreds of miles off the West Coast of Mexico and farther out into open ocean.
The National Weather Service predicts potentially damaging surf generated by the storm to impact south and southeast facing beaches of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, with surf building on Tuesday and peaking Tuesday night into Thursday.
There is potential for some of the highest surf seen in recent years for a southerly event, with max sets of 10 to 15 feet possible.
A statement issued Sunday morning by the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Services said "the southeast portion of the Santa Barbara south coast could also see a rare high surf event."
Areas at Risk for some of the largest surf in Southern California include the PalosVerdes Peninsula, Long Beach, Malibu and Zuma Beaches, Port Hueneme, Point Mugu, and Oxnard Shores.
If the projected high surf develops, there is the potential for major beach erosion and property damage, especially near times of high tide. Very Strong and dangerous rip currents are possible with sneaker waves overtopping rocks and jetties and inundating beaches.
