Weather 
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. () — A Beach Hazard Statement issued by the National Weather Service now runs through Friday for the Orange and San Diego County beaches of Southern California.
Lifeguards and first responders have been working overtime this weekend, making sure people stay safe at the coast, especially in Orange County, where the risk is slightly higher.
Surf from 3 to 6 feet with sets up to 7 feet is possible along south-facing beaches, along with a high rip current risk and king tides, according to NWS.
For the rest of the SoCal coast, a southerly swell combined with increased tides will bring dangerous rip currents and elevated surf through Wednesday night, according to NWS.
A Coastal Flooding Threat is also in place through Monday night, especially for south-facing beaches along the Malibu coast. NWS says the risk will be highest during the late evening hours, when tides peak.
High surf and rip currents are expected all week up and down the Southern California coast. One of the most dangerous spots will be The Wedge, a popular surfing destination in Newport Beach.
Lifeguards said they have made more than 100 rescues at The Wedge over the past week alone.
“I saw like three people have to get saved just from the little rip,” Newport Beach surfer Micah Granthm said on Saturday.
Eyewitness News spoke with two former surfers who have seen firsthand how dangerous the waves can be.
“In a heartbeat, those waves can double in size to 10 feet. When you would take off on the wave, all you would see was sand. The thought of actually crashing right into the sand off a 10-foot wave was pretty scary,” said Mike Schneider.
“If you’re caught in the wave and coming over the top, you’re going to get thrown right down on the sand, and that’s how people broke their necks here. A lot of people did, a lot of bad injuries here,” said Wayne Ray.
In Laguna Beach, a vigil is growing for a 5-year-old girl who drowned last week after a powerful swell swept her out to sea.
The body of the 5-year-old girl who was swept away into the ocean in Laguna Beach has been recovered, authorities said.
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