back on the land. >> reporter: as tropical storm marie spins away from the southern california coast, spectators watched in awe. ah! >> reporter: homeowners aren't taking any chances. sandbagging as bulldozers build berms, a wall of sand to prevent flooding. >> the water came in the last flood. >> reporter: in the atlantic, hurricane cristobal is moving north, raising the risk of rip currents from northern florida to maine. churning up waves to 6 feet, and already claiming the life of an 18-year-old swimmer from virginia and 17-year-old in new jersey. in newport beach, california, they know the risks. >> the people that go in there are definitely risking life and limb. >> reporter: a number of nearby beaches and the malibu pier are expected to remain closed until friday. kirk hawkins abc news, los angeles. brandi, dan, back to you. >> all right, kirk, thank you for that. the extreme weather is not