Santa Cruz officials confirmed that the collapse of a portion of the Santa Cruz Pier occurred around 12:45 p.m. The National Weather Service Bay Area shared information and video footage of the incident at 1:18 p.m. on Monday. The post warned of the dangers posed by the collapsing pier and urged the public to stay away from the area to ensure their safety.
In response to the collapse, the Santa Cruz Fire Department reported that two individuals required assistance from lifeguards to be rescued from the water, while a third person managed to get out of the surf independently. The Santa Cruz Police Department was also present at the scene to assist with the situation.
Following the incident, officials decided to close the Santa Cruz Wharf until further notice and advised the public to avoid the vicinity as a safety precaution. Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley and other city officials addressed the media, revealing that the collapsed section of the pier was part of the municipal wharf slated for repair due to prior structural concerns.
The affected area included the Dolphin restaurant and a public restroom on the wharf. Mayor Keeley confirmed that the individuals who fell into the water were city personnel working on the pier at the time, emphasizing that there were no injuries sustained during the collapse. Significant damage was reported, including the loss of numerous pilings, a section of the wharf’s deck, the restroom, and remnants of the Dolphin restaurant.
Mayor Keeley highlighted the dangers posed by the debris remaining in the water, emphasizing the risks to navigation and public safety. He urged residents to refrain from entering the water or beach area, as well as to keep vehicles and boats away from the vicinity to prevent further incidents.
The pier collapse occurred in the wake of a high surf warning issued by the National Weather Service, extending through noon on Tuesday for various coastal areas, including San Francisco, the North Bay coast, Point Reyes National Seashore, the Peninsula coast, the Monterey Bay, and the Big Sur Coast. The warning forecasted breaking waves of 30 to 35 feet along the coastline.
Notably, the Santa Cruz Pier had previously suffered damage during a powerful bomb cyclone in January 2023, which wreaked havoc on Santa Cruz, Capitola, and other coastal communities. The current incident raised concerns about the structural integrity of the pier and highlighted the need for ongoing maintenance and repairs to ensure public safety.
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