Updated at 3:31 p.m., Sunday, January 13, 2008
High surf warning for northern and west-facing shores
Advertiser Staff
A high-surf warning is in effect for all north- and west-facing shores of Ni'ihau, Kaua'i, O'ahu, Moloka'i and Maui and the leeward coast of the Big Island, according to the National Weather Service.On O'ahu's North Shore, warning signs are posted and beaches are taped off from Sunset Beach to Hale'iwa. Lifeguards are keeping people out of the water.
The waves at Pipeline are estimated at 18 to 25 feet and traffic is at a crawl because of the number of people turning out to see the waves.
City lifeguards reported more than 1,200 preventive actions and one rescue on North Shore.
Lifeguards performed over 800 preventive actions, 37 rescue craft assists and one rescue on the western side of the island today, said Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the Honolulu Emergency Services Department.
The O'ahu surf is expected to reach 25-35 feet through late afternoon and tonight on the north and west-facing shores, said Sam Houston, a National Weather Service lead forecaster. The weather service's high surf warning has been extended through 4 p.m. tomorrow.
A high surf warning means dangerous battering waves will affect shorelines, producing extremely hazardous swimming conditions and rip currents, Houston said.
No roads have been closed by the high surf, but there have been reports of sand being washed up onto Kamehameha Highway.
A small craft advisory also was issued for all coastal waters and channels, except for Ma'alea Bay, according to the weather service.
