501
Recorded events
2
Counties affected
90
Direct deaths
$70.3M
Property damage
California high surf history: 501 recorded events across 2 counties between 1996 and 2026.
Decade by decade
California high surf history by decade
The 1990s are the busiest decade on record with 5 reported high surf events across California. Earlier decades are thinner because systematic reporting for this hazard expanded over time, not because the weather was calmer.
County ranking
Counties with the most high surf events in California
| Rank | County | Events | Deaths | Damage | Span |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Orange County | 4 | 0 | $265K | 1997–2000 |
| #2 | San Diego County | 3 | 0 | $10K | 1999–2000 |