A National Weather Service Beach Hazards Statement warns of elevated surf, dangerous rip currents, and increased risk of ocean-related accidents along Southern California beaches, with Los Angeles County most affected by a powerful swell that keeps surf high.

Waves are forecast to reach up to 10 feet through Thursday night, contributing to hazardous conditions along the coast.

Officials urge people to stay out of the water or remain near occupied lifeguard towers, and warn rock jetties can be deadly and should be avoided.

Authorities confirmed the operation shifted from a rescue to a recovery mission as the chances of locating the missing person diminished.

A teenage girl remains missing after a family was swept out to sea near Treasure Island Beach in Laguna Beach, while a mother and another child were rescued by Good Samaritans.

Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard are assisting in the search, with several people treated at the scene or at hospitals.

Two rescue participants were evaluated and transported in stable condition, highlighting ongoing risk and the need for caution.

Newport Beach lifeguards have increased staffing and patrols, urging beachgoers to swim only near open lifeguard towers and to avoid hazardous conditions.

Lifeguards urge beachgoers to assess conditions with lifeguards before entering the water and to heed warning signs and advisories.

Search efforts are expanding beyond the initial location based on currents and drift modeling to identify new potential areas where the missing person could be carried.

Search operations will continue with vessels, aircraft, and personnel, adapting to changing ocean conditions as new drift modeling is applied.

Officials provide rip current guidance: stay calm, yell for help, and swim parallel to shore if caught in a rip current, with the swell easing gradually but remaining sizable through the week.