Violent, storm-driven waves that demolished part of the Santa Cruz Wharf are also blamed for the death of a man found buried under debris on the Monterey Bay beach, and the disappearance of another man.
Emergency crews were called to Sunset State Beach at 11:30 a.m. Monday to help a man who was reportedly trapped under debris while surfing. The suspect was released and taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office. His identity is being withheld until his family is notified.
Meanwhile, about 15 kilometers down the coast, dangerous conditions forced authorities to call off a search for a man who washed ashore at Marina State Beach around noon, according to the Marina Police Department. The two incidents are not believed to be related, a sheriff's office spokesman said.
Bystanders at Marina State Beach reported that a man was caught in the surf and then went out to sea, police said. They could not help him because of the big waves and strong current.
First responders did not see the missing man when they arrived at the beach. They began searching the area about 300 yards north of Dunes Drive, where the man went into the ocean.
The US Coast Guard and California Highway Patrol searched by air and sea, but were also unable to locate the man. By 2 pm, the search was deemed too dangerous to continue due to bad weather. The one who went missing was not released by the police.
On Monday, the National Weather Service issued a surf warning for the northern California coast – including Santa Cruz, Point Reyes, San Francisco and northern Monterey Bay – and urged people to stay off beaches due to life-threatening conditions until 6pm Tuesday.
“Large waves can sweep across the ocean without warning, pulling people into the ocean from rocks, airports and beaches,” the weather service said. “Sudden immersion in cold water can cause cold water shock even in experienced swimmers.”
The powerful surge also caused the Santa Cruz Wharf to collapse more than 100 feet Monday afternoon, throwing a city employee and two contractors into the frigid ocean, city officials said during a news conference.
Two of them were rescued by animal rescuers in the area, while the third managed to reach a safe place. Crews were sent to the site to assess its condition, city officials said.
The heavy surf is the result of a series of atmospheric river events that bring heavy rain to Northern California, Oregon and Washington state.
Times staff writer Salvador Hernandez contributed to this report.
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