An incredible video has captured the terrifying moment when a massive rogue wave crashed into Ventura, California on Thursday, leaving onlookers scrambling for safety and causing injuries to eight people. The incident occurred on Seaward Avenue, where a group of over a dozen people had gathered to witness the exceptionally high surf of up to 33 feet pounding the coastline.

The shocking video footage shows the powerful wave crashing over a protective wall, prompting frightened onlookers to run for their lives. In a desperate attempt to escape, a driver in a truck can be seen accelerating away from the wave. One man is seen clinging onto his bicycle while being swept down the street, while another person manages to jump over the wall just in time.

Ty Miller, who was caught up in the wave, described the sudden turn of events, stating that everyone had been observing the immense wave, but within seconds, chaos ensued. Miller recounted that around 14 people were present when the wave hit, and he took the initiative to help an elderly lady to safety. He expressed disbelief at the sheer power of the waves, stating that he had never seen them swell and pick up with such intensity.

The force of the water surge caused flooding and significant damage to the coastline. The wave breached the protective barrier, pushing a tree and water through the glass of the Inn on the Beach hotel located on Seaward Avenue.

The Ventura County Fire Department responded to multiple rescues during the incident, including a lifeguard who found themselves caught in the tide while attempting to rescue a surfer. Online footage shows two men pulling the lifeguard from the water, ensuring their safety.

In a separate incident, Ventura County firefighters were called to Oxnard Harbor, where a fisherman had fallen overboard into the cold water. Fortunately, the fisherman was successfully rescued and is expected to recover.

The coastal flooding also resulted in significant debris being deposited on the streets, necessitating the use of plows by road crews to clear State Highway 1 south of San Francisco. Certain areas of the road were too buried to be immediately cleared.

Authorities have issued evacuation orders for several coastal communities in northern and central California. In light of the ongoing threats, a High Surf Warning and Coastal Flood Warning have been extended until Saturday at 10 p.m. In Orange County, coastal flood and high surf advisories will remain in effect until 2 a.m. Monday.

According to the National Weather Service, another set of big swells is expected to arrive on Saturday as powerful Pacific cyclones continue to generate massive swells that pose renewed threats of coastal flooding.

The intensity of the storm systems contributing to the rogue wave was highlighted by their low minimum pressure measurements. On Wednesday, a storm offshore reached a peak minimum pressure of 960 millibars, and on Thursday, another storm recorded a peak minimum pressure as low as 970 millibars, according to NOAA surface analysis charts cited by FOX Weather.

As the communities affected by this powerful wave recover and assess the damage caused, the importance of heeding evacuation orders and staying away from the water during such hazardous conditions cannot be stressed enough.