Lifeguards Rescue Record 3,127 in Month
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Los Angeles County lifeguards reported Friday that they have made a record 3,127 rescues this August, topping the 1984 record of 3,031.
County officials said the El Nino condition has contributed to the high number.
Lt. Mike Cunningham said the ocean temperature has been about 72 degrees this month, compared with average August temperatures of about 60. He said the warm weather has brought more people to the beach this summer.
On Wednesday, county lifeguards rescued 172 people, most of whom were caught in rip currents or overestimated their swimming abilities. There were 103 rescues in the South Bay and about 40 off Santa Catalina Island.
Cunningham said the county plans to staff its beaches with all available lifeguards over the holiday weekend.
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