Los Angeles County lifeguards carried out nearly 2,000 rescues over the weekend as soaring temperatures and hazardous ocean conditions brought massive crowds to Southern California beaches. The intense heat sent thousands of people to the coast seeking relief, while a storm off Mexico’s Baja Peninsula generated large waves and dangerous surf along the shoreline. Lifeguards say the combination of warm weather, rough seas, and unusually warm ocean temperatures created ideal conditions for beachgoers but also increased the risk of swimmers being caught in powerful currents. The warmer water, pushed north by a hurricane hundreds of miles off the Mexican coast, attracted even more people into the ocean despite the hazardous conditions. Officials are urging beach visitors to swim near staffed lifeguard towers, pay attention to warning flags, and avoid entering the water if conditions appear unsafe. They also remind swimmers to stay calm and signal for help if caught in a rip current.
