They Were Asleep on the Beach When the Wave Came

A lethal mix of towering surf and extreme "king tides" is pounding California's coast, prompting warnings after three recent deaths and multiple rescues. In Orange County, a 5-year-old girl was swept away from Treasure Island Beach on Tuesday while walking with her mother and brother; bystanders pulled the mother and brother from the water, but the girl's body was recovered two days later, per the Guardian. In Santa Cruz, two women were swept out to sea Wednesday while napping at Bonny Doon Beach and were later pronounced dead, per the New York Post.

The powerful tides, which produce some of the year's highest water levels, are expected to keep surf and rip current danger elevated through at least midweek, according to the National Weather Service. San Francisco recorded its highest summer water level on record Saturday, with seawater spilling across the Embarcadero. Forecasters are warning of strong rip currents, "sneaker waves," and minor coastal flooding from the Bay Area to southern California, with Newport Beach cautioning harborfront residents to deploy sandbags and seawall plugs. Authorities are urging people to stay out of the water, keep off rock jetties, and remain near staffed lifeguard towers if they do head to the beach.