Santa Cruz’s wharf partially collapsed during a powerful storm, leading to three people being swept out to sea. Dramatic footage and images showed a restroom building toppled by waves, a wrecked pier floating in the ocean, and debris scattered across the water. The collapse occurred as the pier was undergoing renovation due to damage from past coastal storms.
Mayor Fred Keeley of Santa Cruz reported that two people were rescued by swimmers, while the third person managed to self-rescue before being swept away. Keeley warned locals to avoid the area and stay out of the water until further notice. An ocean “swell event” struck the wharf around 12:45 p.m., causing a 150-foot section at its end to collapse, according to Tony Elliott, the director of parks and recreation for Santa Cruz.
The collapse of the pier resulted in the destruction of a closed restaurant called The Dolphin, a restroom building, and construction equipment that were part of the renovation project. The section of the pier that collapsed had been closed for construction since January of that year. The entire wharf is now closed and will remain closed indefinitely until the structure can be assessed, as stated by Elliott, the director of parks and recreation for Santa Cruz.
The wider storm caused significant damage across the Pacific coast of California, with rough seas, breaking waves up to 60 feet, flooding, and damage reported by the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office. Tragically, a man lost his life at Sunset State Beach near Santa Cruz after he was trapped under debris by a colossal wave on the same day as the wharf collapse. The storm caused extensive chaos and destruction along the coast of California.
Overall, the aftermath of the powerful storm in Santa Cruz resulted in the partial collapse of the wharf, the loss of three individuals swept into the ocean, and the destruction of several structures on the pier. The storm’s impact extended beyond Santa Cruz, causing damage and tragic loss of life at Sunset State Beach. The closure of the wharf indefinitely highlights the need for caution and safety measures during extreme weather events along the California coast. Such incidents serve as a reminder of the unpredictable and dangerous nature of coastal storms and the importance of preparedness and response strategies in mitigating their impact.
