Hurricane Rafael has prompted an urgent “do not swim” warning for Americans living in two states.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a coastal hazard message for Florida and Alabama due to the storm moving through the Gulf of Mexico.
Mobile and several places in the Sunshine State are along the path of the storm as it heads toward the Gulf, increasing surge that will create giant waves.
Los Angeles beaches are also under a strong wind warning, which could create waves up to two meters high.
The three coastal regions are also expected to see dangerous rip currents, powerful and narrow channels of fast-moving water.
The NWS warned there is an increased risk of drowning due to rip currents that could sweep swimmers out to sea, sweep people off beaches and capsize small boats.
Hurricane Rafael has prompted an urgent “do not swim” warning for Americans living in two states.
Hurricane Rafael passed over Cuba on Wednesday and is currently heading toward the Gulf of Mexico, reaching the center on Saturday, but its strong winds are affecting coastal areas of the United States.
The storm’s movement is creating a surge off the US coast, which is a series of waves that travel long distances across the ocean.
Mobile could see large waves breaking five to six feet in the surf zone.
The alert includes the coastal counties of Mobile and Baldwin.
A high risk of rip currents is in effect through Monday night and a high surf advisory until 7 pm ET on Saturday.
The coastal hazard message for Florida included the coastal counties of Escambia, Santa Rosa Coastal and Okaloosa, which have the same schedules as Alabama.
Tallahassee received a separate alert, warning locals of large breaking waves of up to six feet on Franklin County beaches.
The high risk of rip currents will remain until Sunday night and high surf until 6 pm ET on Friday.
“Inexperienced swimmers should stay out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions,” the message reads.
The NWS on Wednesday issued a high surf advisory for Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands, between 50 and 100 miles off the California coast.
“Breaking waves of four to seven feet will impact the east-facing portions of Catalina Island due to strong Santa Ana winds,” the alert reads.
Hurricane Rafael passed over Cuba on Wednesday and is currently moving toward the Gulf of Mexico, reaching the center on Saturday, but its strong winds are impacting coastal parts of the US.
“Avalon and Two Harbors will be affected and minor, nuisance coastal flooding is possible.”
The alert is in effect until 7 pm ET.
“Stay out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers,” the NWS shared in the message.
“Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay away from rocks.”
Wind gusts could also blow around unsecured objects and knock down trees and power lines.
‘Such strong winds can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. “Exercise special caution,” the NWS statement shared.
The message was also sent to beaches throughout Los Angeles County, the San Gabriel Valley, the Ojai Valley, the Palos Verdes hills and the foothills of the Western Antelope Valley.
Los Angeles and Orange counties will see wind Thursday with a high of 72 miles per hour, dropping to 48 miles per hour overnight, reports ABC News.
The high wind warning is also known as a red flag warning, which means that “critical fire weather conditions are occurring now or will occur shortly and any fire that starts can spread rapidly and become difficult to extinguish,” according to the NWS.