Venice Beach swimmer rescued after disappearance amid Southern California storm surge

A swimmer was rescued alive on rocks near Venice Beach early Monday morning after being reported missing. Witnesses observed the man enter the ocean near the 1500 block of Ocean Front Walk and 20th Avenue but did not see him return. Los Angeles Fire Department personnel and lifeguards conducted a search and located the injured man on the rocks approximately 20 minutes after the alarm was raised. He was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Separately, powerful surf generated by Tropical Storm Marie caused significant coastal damage across Southern California over Labor Day weekend. In Long Beach, a breached seawall along the Long Beach Peninsula led to the flooding of neighborhood streets and coastal homes. The Long Beach Fire Department conducted door-to-door evacuations for approximately 20 homes. Heavy waves also washed away protective sand berms and caused flooding in Seal Beach. City officials are currently assessing structural damage to affected properties.