Persistently high surf and the threat of flooding along the California coast put residents on high alert a day after a major storm killed one person and partially collapsed a pier, which pushed three people into the Pacific Ocean.
On Christmas Eve, the National Weather Service warned of dangerous, large waves of up to 35 feet (10.7 meters). Its latest high surf warning will be in effect until 6pm on Tuesday.
“Large waves can sweep along beaches without warning, pulling people into the sea from cliffs, jetties and beaches,” the weather service said in a Christmas Eve bulletin.
In Santa Cruz, where a municipal pier under construction partially collapsed Monday, most beaches were cordoned off due to high surf and debris.
Residents received a warning on their phones Tuesday morning to “avoid all beaches with unobstructed coastal areas such as cliffs, jetties or reefs.” It warned that powerful waves could unexpectedly wash away entire beaches.
The remains of a bathroom that fell off a pier are seen at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz, California. (AP Photo)
Local officials said more damage could be done to the pier, but no more pieces were broken overnight.
The ghat fell into the sea on Monday afternoon, taking three people with it. Two were rescued by lifeguards and the third swam to safety. No one was seriously injured.
Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Kiley said in the coming weeks and months officials will have to evaluate long-term solutions to protect the coastal city from the effects of climate change.
“Hallelujah that no one was hurt in it, which could have been an order of magnitude worse in terms of human injuries and damage to onshore and offshore property,” he said at a media briefing on Tuesday.
“But I think we have somewhat of a question mark as we move forward over time,” he added. “And I don’t think we’re alone. I think coastal communities around the world are probably dealing with this.”
The structure was in the middle of a $4 million renovation last winter after a devastating storm hit 70 miles (112 km) south of San Francisco.
“It’s a disaster for those down at the end of the wharf,” said David Johnston, who was allowed to check out his business, Venture Quest Kayaking, at the wharf on Monday.
Tony Elliott, head of the Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department, estimated that the end of the pier fell about 150 feet (45 meters) into the water. It was immediately evacuated and will remain closed indefinitely.
Some pier pilings are still in the sea and remain “serious, serious hazards” to boats, the mayor said. Each piling weighs hundreds of pounds and is pushed by powerful waves.
“You are putting your life at risk, and the people who need to try to save you by getting in or too close to the water,” the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office said on social platform X.
Building inspectors were looking at the remaining structural integrity of the pier.
Some California cities ordered coastal homes and hotels to evacuate Monday afternoon as forecasters warned that storm surges would intensify throughout the day.
In Watsonville, Monterey Bay, first responders were called about 11:30 a.m. Monday to a report of a person trapped in debris at state park Sunset State Beach. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office believes a large wave pinned him there. The man was pronounced dead at the hospital.
High surf from the storm likely dragged another man into the Pacific Ocean Monday afternoon at Marina State Beach, about 13 miles (21 kilometers) south of Watsonville, officials said. Strong currents and high waves forced searchers to abandon their efforts after about two hours as conditions worsened. The man went missing on Monday evening.
Further south in Carmel Bay, one person remained missing Tuesday afternoon after reports of someone being swept off a rock into the ocean at Pebble Beach on Monday, local emergency responders said. The U.S. Coast Guard “will move to recovery efforts in the coming days as sea conditions improve,” officials said in a statement.
In a post on X, the National Weather Service office in Portland, Oregon said, “This will likely go down as the highest surf this winter.”
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