Search teams continued Saturday for a 5-year-old girl swept into the ocean Friday off Garrapata State Beach as waves estimated at 15–20 feet hit the shore. The mother reached safety with mild hypothermia; the father was rescued but later died. The same storm system, strengthened by an atmospheric river, produced heavy rain, inland flooding and mountain snow across California, including a separate fatality when a vehicle was swept off a flooded bridge in Sutter County. Forecasters warned of continued heavy rain, localized flooding, debris flows and very rough seas into next week.
Father Dies, 5-Year-Old Missing After Massive Waves Sweep Family Off California Coast
Search teams continued Saturday for a 5-year-old girl swept into the ocean Friday off Garrapata State Beach as waves estimated at 15–20 feet hit the shore. The mother reached safety with mild hypothermia; the father was rescued but later died. The same storm system, strengthened by an atmospheric river, produced heavy rain, inland flooding and mountain snow across California, including a separate fatality when a vehicle was swept off a flooded bridge in Sutter County. Forecasters warned of continued heavy rain, localized flooding, debris flows and very rough seas into next week.
05:19 AM, 11/16/2025Environment
Rescue teams search for child after powerful waves at Garrapata State Beach
First responders continued searching Saturday along California’s Central Coast for a 5-year-old girl who was swept into the Pacific the previous afternoon as a powerful storm battered the state.
Just before 1 p.m. Friday, waves estimated at 15 to 20 feet washed the child and her parents into the cold waters off Garrapata State Beach in Monterey County, the sheriff’s office said. The mother managed to reach shore on her own and was treated for mild hypothermia. An off-duty State Parks lifeguard rescued the girl’s father; he was taken to a nearby hospital and later pronounced dead.
Search operations began Friday but were paused overnight because of hazardous weather and poor visibility. The effort resumed Saturday morning and included personnel from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, California State Parks, Cal Fire and the U.S. Coast Guard, which deployed a helicopter.
Storm system brings widespread hazards
The incidents came as a strong storm system, reinforced by an atmospheric river, moved across California beginning Thursday, marking the start of the rainy season with widespread showers, heavy winds and treacherous coastal conditions.
In Sutter County, north of Sacramento, a separate fatality was reported Friday when a 71-year-old man’s vehicle was swept off a flooded bridge while he attempted to retrieve a package. Emergency crews found the vehicle fully submerged in Pleasant Grove Creek, CBS Sacramento reported. Authorities said signage warned that the road was flooded; the California Highway Patrol urged the public to "never cross flooded roadways for any reason."
Farther south, steady rain drenched Los Angeles, with downtown recording more precipitation over the past two days than is typical for an entire November month. Flash-flood warnings briefly covered burn scars from the Palisades and Eaton fires earlier this year, though those warnings later expired.
The National Weather Service (Los Angeles office) posted on X that rain intensity and coverage were easing Saturday afternoon but warned of lingering convective showers and thunderstorms that could produce localized flooding and debris flows. Forecasters said the heaviest rainfall was expected Saturday, with continued stormy periods possible through next week.
Mountain snow and dangerous travel
Snow is expected across the Sierra Nevada. A winter weather advisory is in effect for Western Plumas County, Lassen Park and the west slope of the Sierras above 6,000 feet, from 10 p.m. Saturday through 4 p.m. Monday. Forecasts call for 4 to 10 inches of snow, with 1 to 2 feet possible at the highest peaks. "Travel could be very difficult," the National Weather Service warned, noting hazardous conditions could impact morning and evening commutes.
Coastal outlook
Ocean conditions along the Central Coast were expected to deteriorate while rescuers continued searching for the child. The National Weather Service forecasted moderate to fresh north to northwest winds and seas up to 8 feet on Sunday, with a storm likely producing strong to near-gale northerly winds Sunday night and rapidly building very rough seas by Monday morning.
Safety reminder: Authorities continue to urge the public to stay away from dangerous surf, heed barricades and signage, and never attempt to cross flooded roadways.