20-Foot Backwash Waves Rip Apart Southern California Beach (Video)

El Nino-fueled hurricane swells have caused severe coastal erosion, with 20-foot backwash waves decimating Aliso Beach in Laguna Beach, transforming the shoreline into a disaster zone.

A woman was swept away by a powerful rogue wave at Aliso Beach, prompting a rescue operation by lifeguards and emergency responders, resulting in her airlift to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.

The influx of swell, including a massive swell generated by Hurricane Marie, continues to hammer Southern California, posing threats of further coastal erosion, deadly rip currents, and dangerous conditions, urging officials to advise extreme caution.

During this season's historic El Niño event, on the west coast, one unfortunate aspect has been the coastal erosion that the slew of hurricane swells has wrought.

For instance, recently, massive 20-foot backwash waves absolutely decimated Aliso Beach in Laguna Beach as El Niño-fueled hurricane swells battered Southern California. The severe coastal erosion has completely transformed the shoreline, leaving behind a trail of destruction that looks more like a disaster zone than a picturesque beach.

Check out the video below, titled "Giant Hurricane Waves destroy a Southern California beach! 15′ – 20′ Backwash!", as the chaos is captured in high def.

The video's caption perfectly summarizes the devastation: "Big Hurricane surf and hightide destroys the infamous Aliso Beach in Southern California. This is some ultra RAW documentation of the crazy El Nino season and wild surf." The channel's creators added they will continue to document the "coastal chaos happening from what many have dubbed 'Swell Nino!'" before warning viewers: "Hope you enjoy the beauty and chaos and any beach-goers in Southern California please be safe!"

That warning couldn't be come at a better time. Along with the erosion and annihilation of beaches, beachgoers have also been rocked by the influx of swell.

Aliso Beach was recently the site of a near-fatal tragedy amidst the towering surf. A woman walking along the shoreline was suddenly swept away by a powerful rogue wave. As the massive surge pulled her into the churning ocean, lifeguards and emergency responders rushed to the scene. She was ultimately rescued from the violent shorebreak and airlifted via helicopter to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.

Meanwhile, the coastline gets no time to recover. Another massive swell, this one generated by Hurricane Marie, is currently hammering Southern California. While the arrival of Hurricane Marie may bring world-class waves for expert surfers, it also carries the grim threat of further coastal erosion, deadly rip currents, and dangerous conditions.

With heavy ocean energy continuing to pound the sand, officials urge extreme caution.

Keep a safe distance from the shorebreak, respect the unpredictability of the ocean, and never turn your back on the waves during this historic run of surf.

This story was originally published by Surfer on Sep 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Surfer as a Preferred Source by clicking here.