Portion of Santa Cruz Wharf collapses amid high surf with 2 people rescued

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 certainly one of a number of impacts within the weather-battered area as excessive surf and flooding led to a number of highway closures and a few coastal evacuations in Capitola.

Santa Cruz officers later mentioned that the collapse occurred at round 12:45 p.m.

The Nationwide Climate Service Bay Space X account posted info and video from an X consumer in regards to 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 submit learn. “Take a look at the ominous wave motion on the horizon. You’re risking your life, and people of the people who would wish to try to prevent by getting in or too near the water.”  

Santa Cruz Fireplace confirmed two folks wanted help being pulled from the water by life guards and a 3rd individual was capable of get out of the surf on their very own with out assist. The Santa Cruz Police Division was additionally on the scene.

The Santa Cruz Wharf has been closed till additional discover, officers mentioned. The general public is being requested to keep away from the realm.

Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley and different metropolis officers spoke in regards to 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 mentioned that there have been no accidents and all folks had been accounted for. The realm of the wharf that washed away has been closed to the general public since January of this yr, officers mentioned.

The mayor famous that within the collapse, they misplaced “many pilings, loads of the deck of the wharf itself, in addition to the restroom and what remained of the Dolphin restaurant.” 

The general public restroom had already washed ashore on the seashore, however the mayor mentioned that the remainder of the particles that remained within the water offered “critical hazards for folks and for any type of navigation” and requested that folks keep out of the water and off the seashore for his or her security and hold “their automobiles, their boats or different gadgets out within the water.”   

The mayor mentioned metropolis personnel had been “assessing…the structural integrity of the wharf” given the incoming storm that might probably have further impacts.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s workplace confirmed the governor was briefed on the harm and mentioned the California Workplace of Emergency Providers was coordinating with native officers to assist present assist.

The collapse of the pier comes after the Nationwide Climate Service issued a excessive surf warning that continues to be in impact by way of midday Tuesday for San Francisco, the North Bay coast together with Level Reyes Nationwide Seashore, the Peninsula coast, the Monterey Bay, and Large Sur Coast. Breaking waves of 30 to 35 toes are anticipated alongside the coast.

Additional south from the wharf, Santa Cruz County authorities confirmed to KPIX {that a} man died at Sundown State Seashore after a big wave trapped him beneath washed-up particles. A second individual remained lacking after going into the water at Marina State Seashore in Monterey County Monday afternoon.

The Santa Cruz Seashore Boardwalk introduced the closure of the Boardwalk, the On line casino Arcade and Neptune’s Kingdom as a result of climate present circumstances shortly after 1:30 p.m. for the rest of the day Monday. Nonetheless, the Boardwalk Bowl remained open.

The pier was additionally broken in the course of the highly effective bomb cyclone that precipitated intensive harm in Santa Cruz, Capitola and different coastal cities in January of 2023. 

The excessive surf was having further 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 Seashore Dr., Moosehead Dr., and Rio Del Mar at Aptos Seashore Dr.

There have 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 had been suggested to shelter in place and the Capitola Venetian Resort was evacuated.

It is a creating information story. Extra info will likely be included because it turns into accessible.