Residents along the California coast remained on high alert following a major storm that led to the partial collapse of a pier in Santa Cruz, causing three individuals to be swept into the Pacific Ocean. The National Weather Service issued a warning of dangerously high surf with waves reaching up to 35 feet, advising people to stay away from beaches, rocks, and jetties. In the aftermath of the pier collapse, beaches in Santa Cruz were closed due to high surf and debris. Local officials urged caution and emphasized the unpredictable nature of the powerful waves.
The damaged wharf, undergoing renovation after previous storms, suffered a significant portion collapsing into the ocean. Despite the dramatic incident, no serious injuries were reported, and two individuals were rescued by lifeguards. Officials emphasized the need to address long-term solutions to protect coastal communities from climate change impacts. The remaining structure poses risks to boats, and inspectors are assessing its structural integrity.
In another incident at Sunset State Beach in Watsonville, a man lost his life after being trapped under debris by a large wave. Authorities in various California cities ordered evacuations of beachfront properties as storm swells continued to intensify. The ongoing high surf conditions prompted warnings to the public to avoid coastal areas and remain vigilant.
Authorities stated that a man went missing around noon on Monday at Marina State Beach, situated nearly 13 miles (21 kilometers) south of Watsonville. Search efforts were hindered by strong currents and high waves, leading to the search being called off approximately two hours later as conditions deteriorated. The man’s whereabouts remained unknown by Monday evening.
Meanwhile, in Carmel Bay further south, it was reported that a man was still missing as of Tuesday afternoon. This came after reports surfaced that an individual had been swept off the rocks into the ocean at Pebble Beach on Monday, as confirmed by local emergency responders. The U.S. Coast Guard is preparing to shift to a recovery search operation once ocean conditions become more favorable in the coming days, according to officials’ statement.
The National Weather Service office in Portland, Oregon, shared insights on the situation, stating, “It will likely go down as some of the highest surf this winter.”
Reporting for this article was contributed by Dazio in Los Angeles, with additional information from Associated Press writers Sophie Austin in Sacramento and Jaimie Ding in Los Angeles.
