From calm to chaos: Sneaker waves turn beach visits into life-or-death struggles in seconds
"Sneaker wave, it sounds like it's not very scary… Maybe call it a murder wave," survivor Joanne Chiang said.
Sneaker wave survivor recalls being nearly swept out to sea from Oregon beach
Joanne Chiang was taking in the scenery at Secret Beach, Oregon, when a dangerous sneaker wave nearly swept her out to sea. Chiang joined FOX Weather to recount the terrifying encounter and raise awareness of the dangers these powerful waves pose.
THE TAKEAWAY
- Recent encounters along Oregon’s coast show sneaker waves sending beachgoers scrambling for safety.
- The powerful surges can sweep people into the ocean and turn heavy logs and debris into dangerous obstacles.
- Calm surf can create a false sense of security before a sneaker wave strikes, making constant awareness critical.
SECRET BEACH, Oregon – It was a picture-perfect day on the Pacific Northwest coast until a dangerous sneaker wave caught an Oregon native off guard, turning a peaceful moment on the beach into a fight for survival in seconds.
Joanne Chiang was walking along Secret Beach in Oregon when a powerful sneaker wave nearly swept her out to sea.
Dangerous sneaker waves sent beachgoers scrambling for safety along Oregon’s coast, with several terrifying close calls caught on camera. (Jesse Creswell via Storyful / Karen Madsen via Storyful/ Dawn Kalberg Jones / FOX Weather)
"I thought I was going to die," Chiang said, recounting the terrifying encounter on FOX Weather.
In the blink of an eye, the powerful wave dragged Chiang underwater, tossing her like a washing machine and slamming her body against rocks, leaving her battered and bruised.
Her experience underscores how quickly sneaker waves can turn a coastal stroll into a fight for survival.
"Sneaker wave, it sounds like it's not very scary… Maybe call it a murder wave," Chiang said.
What are sneaker waves?
Sneaker waves are known for exactly that, sneaking up and out of the blue, threatening to swipe you up and pull you out to sea.
A sneaker wave is a hazardous wave that can become deadly and destructive in seconds.
Large waves crash into Cape Disappointment, Washington. (Benjamin Jurkovich / Live Storms Media)
While there is no scientific definition, NOAA says a sneaker wave is a rush of water that surges up the coastline further than expected, and other normal waves.
Sneaker waves can surge more than 150 feet up the beach, catching beachgoers off guard.
A single sneaker wave can lift and roll waterlogged beach logs weighing hundreds of pounds, potentially knocking beachgoers down or pinning them underneath. (George Rose/Getty Images / Getty Images)
The rushing water isn’t the only danger: Sneaker waves can dislodge massive logs and other debris, turning the surge into an even deadlier threat.
Rocky coastlines with steep slopes, particularly in Northern California, Oregon, Washington and Canada, can see these waves strike without warning — a danger that has played out in recent days.
Close calls caught on camera along Oregon’s coast
Across the region, sneaker waves have sent beachgoers scrambling for safety in seconds, with cameras capturing some of the terrifying close calls.
In Winchester Bay, Oregon, two people and a dog narrowly escaped disaster when a powerful sneaker wave carrying logs and loose branches nearly pinned them against a jetty.
2 PEOPLE AND THEIR DOG NEARLY SWEPT AWAY BY DANGEROUS SNEAKER WAVES ALONG OREGON COAST
Dramatic video shows the surge driving them up the beach and onto the jetty as the small dog disappears in the churning surf.
Sneaker waves crash along the coast of Oregon, sending two people and a dog scrambling for safety. (Dawn Kalberg Jones/ Facebook)
Fortunately, the dog was pulled safely from the water, but the close call underscores how quickly sneaker waves can overwhelm even the smallest beachgoers — a danger also captured on camera at Oregon’s Cannon Beach.
A sneaker wave dragged a child through rough surf at Cannon Beach on Sunday before an adult plucked the child from the churning water and brought them to safety.
In Oceanside, Oregon, four teenagers ignored warnings from beachgoers and ventured onto wave-battered rocks over the weekend, leaving one stranded as dangerous sneaker waves surged around him.
Stay safe, be aware of sneaker waves
These close calls caught on camera offer a stark reminder of how quickly a peaceful beach visit can become a fight for survival.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), even a stretch of calm surf can give beachgoers a false sense of security before a sneaker wave strikes.
The NWS urges beachgoers to check surf and tide forecasts and beach hazard alerts, stay well back from the water and always keep an escape route in sight.
Never turn your back on the ocean, and steer clear of logs and debris that powerful waves can lift and roll, potentially trapping anyone in their path.