Woman Filming Intense Waves Captures Moment One Breaks Through Restaurant Window

Patrons of a California restaurant might have felt safe enjoying the violent waves churned up by an intense storm at beachside restaurant over the weekend — that is, until one actually broke through the glass. In another incident the same day, a rogue wave actually swept one employee into the water.

Those sitting in Moby Dick on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara County were filming the waves striking the building from their tables when one slammed into the window.

"Here comes another one!" Jill Freeland said, taking video with her cellphone from the restaurant Saturday.

Somewhat prophetically, she added "duck" right before the wave broke through the glass.

Images: YouTube

Watch the footage:

Patrons screamed, dishes clashed and Freeland said, "time to go."

Here is video from another angle:

"The swell increased with every wave that passed. I recall telling people at the table in front of me, the pier will likely be closed soon due to the high surf. One minute later, I see a set of waves approaching and pick up my smartphone to film," Forrest Buchanan posted on YouTube.

The restaurant was evacuated after the incident.

About 10 miles away, another wave caused more serious problems for a restaurant and its employees. When a manager with the Beachside Bar-Cafe on Goleta Pier ran to warn others who were securing outdoor furniture, he was  swept into the ocean.

This employee, identified by KEYT-TV as Simon, was dragged about 100 feet by the wave before he was able to grab onto the pier.

"They pulled him out. He was just in shock and just covered in sand. He said he was doing alright, but you could tell he was really pale and just freaked out," Joseph Barker, a floor manager at the restaurant, told the news station.

Simon suffered a dislocated shoulder, while other employees had only minor scrapes.

"What we are seeing here is what I call is the perfect storm. We've got high tides, huge surf and a lot of rain. And what that creates is a lot of havoc and destruction along the coast side," John Ledbetter told KEYT.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.