A section of a pier in Santa Cruz, located in northern California, collapsed into the Pacific Ocean on Monday, resulting in three city workers being swept into the sea by high surf that battered the coast. The Wharf, a popular public pier in Santa Cruz, known for housing various restaurants, is situated approximately 70 miles south of San Francisco. The incident led to the evacuation of the pier and its closure to all emergency responders shortly after 1 p.m.
According to the Salinas Californian, a publication within the USA TODAY Network, two of the city workers were rescued by lifeguards, while the third managed to rescue themselves. The collapse occurred as construction crews employed by the city were in the process of dismantling a restaurant located on the Wharf. Eyewitnesses informed local CBS affiliate KION-TV that the restaurant had sustained damage from a storm surge the previous December. The affected part of the pier had been off-limits to the public due to prior storm-induced damage, ensuring no civilians were present during the collapse.
Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley, speaking at a press conference as reported by ABC News, attributed the collapse to the impact of powerful waves crashing into the structure. He reassured the public by stating, “We believe that everyone that went into the water is now accounted for and safe.”
The collapse, which saw about 150 feet of the Wharf’s end plunge into the ocean, including a restroom and a recently renovated area, resulted in construction equipment falling into the water due to the immense force of the tide. Tony Elliot, the Director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Santa Cruz, shared these details with ABC News. A $4 million restoration project had been underway at the Wharf to address previous storm-related damages, Mayor Keeley also mentioned to ABC News.
California Governor Gavin Newsom received a briefing on the partial collapse of the Santa Cruz Wharf, with his press office confirming that the state’s Office of Emergency Services was collaborating with local authorities to offer assistance. The press office urged residents and visitors to steer clear of the area and adhere to local directives.
In response to the incident, the Santa Cruz Wharf took to Facebook to announce the closure of the Wharf and surrounding beaches to the public “until further notice.” Officials cautioned against approaching the area or the beaches due to the presence of hazardous debris floating in the water. A post by the Santa Cruz Wharf emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting, “The ocean is not messing around today. These are life (and property) threatening conditions.”
The National Weather Service issued a “High Surf Warning” for the region, cautioning about the presence of exceedingly large breaking waves reaching heights of 30 to 40 feet, with certain spots experiencing wave sets as high as 60 feet. The warning was slated to remain in effect until 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday.
As the investigation and cleanup efforts continue, authorities underscored the significance of adhering to safety guidelines and avoiding
