Part of the Santa Cruz Wharf collapsed Monday afternoon throughout a high-surf warning, with authorities confirming two folks needed to be pulled from the water.
The collapse of the municipal wharf was simply one among a number of impacts within the weather-battered area as excessive surf and flooding led to a number of street closures and coastal evacuations in Capitola.
Santa Cruz Fire Department
Santa Cruz officers later stated that the collapse occurred at round 12:45 p.m.
The National Weather Service Bay Area X account posted info and video from an X consumer concerning the collapse at 1:1:18 p.m. Monday.
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“A portion of the Santa Cruz pier has collapsed, and is floating away,” the publish learn. “Look on the ominous wave motion on the horizon. You are risking your life, and people of the those that would wish to attempt to prevent by getting in or too near the water.”
Santa Cruz Fire confirmed two folks wanted help being pulled from the water by life guards and a 3rd individual was in a position to get out of the surf on their very own with out assist. The Santa Cruz Police Department was additionally on the scene.
The Santa Cruz Wharf has been closed till additional discover, officers stated. The public is being requested to avoid the realm.
Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley and different metropolis officers spoke concerning the incident shortly earlier than 2:30 p.m. Keeley famous that the a part of the pier that collapsed “was a portion of the municipal wharf that has already been decided to should be taken down and repaired over time.”
It included the Dolphin restaurant and one of many public loos on the wharf. Keeley additionally confirmed that the individuals who fell into the water had been metropolis personnel who had been engaged on the wharf on the time, however stated that there have been no accidents and all folks had been accounted for. The space of the wharf that washed away has been closed to the general public since January of this yr, officers stated.
The mayor famous that within the collapse, they misplaced “many pilings, numerous the deck of the wharf itself, in addition to the restroom and what remained of the Dolphin restaurant.”
The public restroom had already washed ashore on the seaside, however the mayor stated that the remainder of the particles that remained within the water introduced “critical hazards for folks and for any sort of navigation” and requested that individuals keep out of the water and off the seaside for his or her security and maintain “their automobiles, their boats or different gadgets out within the water.”
The mayor stated metropolis personnel had been “assessing…the structural integrity of the wharf” given the incoming storm that will doubtless have extra impacts.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s workplace confirmed the governor was briefed on the damage and stated the California Office of Emergency Services was coordinating with native officers to assist present assist.
The collapse of the pier comes after the National Weather Service issued a high surf warning that continues to be in impact by midday Tuesday for San Francisco, the North Bay coast Including Point Reyes National Seashore, the Peninsula coast, the Monterey Bay, and Big Sur Coast. Breaking waves of 30 to 35 ft are anticipated alongside the coast.
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk announced the closure of the Boardwalk, the Casino Arcade and Neptune’s Kingdom because of the climate present situations shortly after 1:30 p.m. for the rest of the day Monday. However, the Boardwalk Bowl remained open.
The pier was additionally damaged during the powerful bomb cyclone that precipitated in depth harm in Santa Cruz, Capitola and different coastal cities in January of 2023.
The excessive surf was having extra impacts Monday because the day wore on. The Santa Cruz workplace of the CHP confirmed shortly after 3 p.m. that flooding had closed East Cliff at ninth Ave., East Cliff at Moran Lake, Marina Ave. at Aptos Beach Dr., Moosehead Dr., and Rio Del Mar at Aptos Beach Dr.
There had been additionally some evacuations in Capitola after the Capitola Village was closed by the flooding from the excessive surf, with waves pushing seawater into the realm. Village residents were advised to shelter in place and the Capitola Venetian Hotel was evacuated.
This is a creating information story. Additional info will likely be included because it turns into out there.
