One dramatic clip, captured in Ventura, shows massive waves crashing over the sea wall as stunned beachgoers fled in panic. While many managed to scramble to safety, others were less fortunate.

(Shmuel Thaler - Santa Cruz Sentinel) Waves crash over the bluff on West Cliff on Friday near Columbia Street. (Shmuel Thaler - Santa Cruz Sentinel) Work to armor West Cliff from previous years ...

Big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara of the U.S. drops in on a large wave at Praia do Norte, in Nazare November 1, 2013. McNamara, who lives in Haleiwa, Hawaii, won the Biggest Wave title at the 2012 ...

The weather service called the rough surf “dangerous and life-threatening.” This footage filmed from the coastline along Santa Cruz shows massive waves crashing into the cliffs and shooting spray high ...