SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - A storm surge is barreling through Southern California, and as a result San Diego County coastal communities will see strong rip currents and possible flooding.
Big waves were starting to roll in Wednesday morning at Marine Street Beach in La Jolla, where surfers had a warning for everyone.
"If you haven't been to the beach, I wouldn't suggest going in. It's dangerous right now there are strong rip currents," surfers Sam Snider and Eric Lehmann said.
Surfers in La Jolla say the water is pretty powerful. They've been riding some of the largest waves this year, and some estimate they're about five to six feet high.
It's a breathtaking sight, but it can also be hazardous for swimmers and surfers who don't have proper experience. Lifeguards warn this is not the time to experiment in the ocean under these challenging conditions.
Pacific Hurricane Marie is creating a knockout, causing flooding in Los Angeles and Orange County. Residents in Seal Beach were hit hard.
The storm surge created waves so high they eroded a 12-foot sand berm in Long Beach.
This comes with rising fears of powerful rip currents, which made for extremely dangerous elements for surfers and swimmers.
Eight-foot waves proved to be deadly. They ripped apart part of a pier and surf boards in Malibu and killed a surfer who was found unconscious in the water.
The San Diego area won't see waves that destructive, but they're still much higher than normal.
Locally, expect the biggest waves Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
Some of the footage used in Jeff Zevely's video report was shot using a GoPro camera.