A massive compound storm is battering the U.S. West Coast as rogue waves, storm swells, and collapsing cliffs trigger flooding, power outages, and evacuations, leaving residents terrified and communities scrambling to survive the cascading coastal disaster.

San Francisco, California—The U.S.

West Coast is currently grappling with an unprecedented coastal emergency as giant waves, storm-driven swells, and accelerating bluff erosion combine to create a fast-moving, multi-state threat that has scientists issuing urgent warnings.

Beginning late Wednesday afternoon, rogue waves exceeding 30 feet struck California’s central coast, while similar surges battered Oregon and Washington, creating a domino effect in which flooding, landslides, power outages, and emergency evacuations began cascading through coastal communities.

Experts warn that this is not a typical storm but a rare “compound ocean failure” scenario, where multiple hazards are interacting to amplify danger across hundreds of miles.

Residents of Santa Cruz, California, were among the first to witness the storm’s fury.

By 4 p.m., seawater had breached barriers along the boardwalk, flooding downtown streets and forcing residents and tourists to scramble to higher ground.

“The waves came so fast, I barely had time to move my car,” said local shop owner Maria Delgado.

“It felt like the ocean was trying to swallow the town whole.

” Officials quickly issued evacuation orders for low-lying areas, warning that streets could become impassable within minutes.

Emergency shelters were opened in schools and community centers to house stranded residents.

Infrastructure damage was immediate and widespread.

Sections of Highway 1 near Big Sur were washed out, leaving vehicles trapped and emergency crews struggling to clear routes.

The Union Pacific rail line faced temporary closures after cliffside landslides, triggered by saturated soil and pounding surf, blocked tracks.

Power outages spread rapidly along the Oregon and Washington coasts, affecting tens of thousands of homes and businesses as utility poles toppled under the force of wind-driven waves and debris.

“We’ve never seen a surge like this,” said utility spokesperson Mark Reynolds.

“Crews are working around the clock, but conditions are extremely hazardous, and full restoration will take days.”

Scientists have expressed particular concern over the accelerated coastal erosion occurring in multiple states.

Coastal bluffs, already weakened by previous storms, began collapsing under the relentless wave action.

Dr.Michael Chen, a geologist with the U.S.

Geological Survey, explained: “We’re seeing bluff failures happening in sequence.

One collapse destabilizes the next section, creating a cascading failure.

With waves and wind intensifying the effect, the rate of erosion is alarming.

” In some cases, homes perched near cliff edges have been deemed unsafe, with authorities urging residents to evacuate immediately.

The storm’s impact extended to maritime activities as well.

Lifeguards and Coast Guard personnel reported numerous incidents of small vessels stranded in high surf conditions, and commercial shipping routes were disrupted due to rogue waves and floating debris.

“The situation at sea is extremely dangerous,” said Jeff Ramirez, a U.S.

Coast Guard spokesperson in San Francisco.

“We’re coordinating rescues, but the risk to both residents and our teams is high.”

Weather analysts attribute the storm to an unusual convergence of factors, including an atmospheric river delivering warm, moisture-laden air from the Pacific, high tides, and a strong storm-driven swell.

“It’s a perfect storm scenario,” said NOAA meteorologist Dr.Karen Liu.

“The combination of heavy surf, rising tides, and eroding cliffs has created a chain reaction that could continue to worsen over the next 48 hours.

” Officials warned that even minor triggers—such as a single bluff collapse—could set off additional hazards in nearby areas.

Social media erupted with videos and images of massive waves crashing over seawalls, flooded streets, and cliffside landslides.

Local residents documented homes surrounded by water, streets transformed into rivers, and vehicles engulfed by the surge, generating both awe and alarm nationwide.

“We thought it was just another winter storm,” said Oregon resident Tyler Mason, capturing footage of the Pacific waves.

“But this… this is something completely different.

It’s terrifying.”

Emergency management offices across California, Oregon, and Washington have mobilized the National Guard, opened shelters, and urged citizens to stock essential supplies while avoiding travel along the coast.

Officials emphasized that conditions remain extremely hazardous and that the cascading nature of this disaster requires constant vigilance.

“We’re dealing with multiple interacting threats,” said California Emergency Services Director Lisa Thompson.

“Flooding, bluff collapses, and power loss are all happening simultaneously.

People need to take evacuation orders seriously and stay safe.”

As the storm progresses, scientists continue to monitor wave heights, erosion rates, and coastal stability.

Forecasts predict that extreme surf and high winds may persist through the weekend, potentially exacerbating damage already inflicted.

Residents from Monterey to Seattle are preparing for prolonged disruptions, including road closures, property damage, and utility outages.

From crashing waves and collapsing cliffs to flooded neighborhoods and stranded residents, the U.S.

West Coast faces one of the most extreme coastal emergencies in recent memory.

Officials warn that the next 48 hours are critical, as the combination of rogue waves, storm-driven swell, and structural vulnerability threatens to create a cascading disaster with long-lasting consequences for communities along the Pacific coastline.