PENINSULA — Giant-sized surf generated by storms out in the Pacific Ocean combined last Thursday with some of the highest “king tides” of the year to produce coastal flooding on the Long Beach Peninsula and around Willapa Bay.

Some of the most dramatic scenes occurred in Ocean Park and inside Cape Disappointment State Park, where professional and amateur photographers — along with many everyday onlookers — placed themselves on the front lines of what sometimes seemed to be an epic battle between land and sea. One possible injury was reported inside the park, where officials were forced to close Jetty Road for a time due to tidal overflow. Rangers also moved people and cars away from Waikiki Beach, where drift logs and other storm-tossed debris created danger.

“We’ll need some time to clear the debris once things settle down,” park officials said Thursday afternoon while dispelling a incorrect rumor that the entire park was being closed as a precaution. “Ranger Bryn Sitkiewicz says it’s the largest swells they’ve seen at the park in 10 years! Where can you safely watch the action? Head up to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.”

In Ocean Park, drone photographer Joshua Wilkins captured amazing images of the onrushing tide being funneled up the Bay Avenue beach approach, looking something like a tsunami disaster movie. Pat Tollefson recorded a frightening ground-level view at the same location. Both can be watched at the Chinook Observer Facebook page.

It was a dramatic day — one that many enjoyed and will long remember. But as this winter has the potential of becoming increasingly stormy in coming days and weeks, be sure to exercise caution whenever anywhere near the sometimes riotous waters of the North Pacific.