Santa Cruz wharf section collapses, sending 3 overboard as high surf hits California coast
A section of a municipal dock in Santa Cruz collapsed into the ocean midday Monday and required a water rescue by emergency crews, according to the Santa Cruz Fire Department.
The pier, which is home to several restaurants and near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, has been evacuated and closed to all but emergency personnel.
“Santa Cruz Fire and Santa Cruz Police are on scene at Santa Cruz Wharf”, the fire department posted on its Instagram account shortly after 1 p.m.
“Two victims were rescued by our lifeguards and one victim rescued himself. The boat is closed until now.”
Part of the Santa Cruz Pier collapsed amid strong waves on Monday, December 23, 2024.
Witnesses told local TV newspaper KION that workers were demolishing the Dolphin Restaurant at the port, which was damaged during a typhoon in December 2023, when it collapsed. At least two crew members were seen standing on top of a mountain floating in the sea.
The collapsed section, at the end of the pier, was already closed to the public due to storm damage.
Photos of the wooden debris and the bathroom floating in the sea were captured by eyewitnesses and uploaded to Facebook.
Earlier in the day, the National Weather Service had issued a High Surf Warning for the region, with “major breaking waves of 30 to 40 feet, and very large waves of up to 60 feet in popular areas.”
The warning, which extends to 6pm on Tuesday, has “potentially hazardous conditions for swimming and surfing and the potential for significant coastal erosion.”
The City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department warned people on their social media pages to stay away from the pier as all vehicles were closed to emergency personnel due to the partial collapse.
The agency also asked the public to stay away due to “a high surf advisory and avoid low-lying areas, especially Santa Cruz beaches, due to debris.”
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk including the Casino Arcade and Neptune's Kingdom will be closed to commemorate the day due to high tides and high tides, the park announced.
According to the governor's office, Gov. Gavin Newsom has been notified of the situation and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Management is working with local officials and ready to provide support.
This article first appeared in the Salinas Californian: Section of Santa Cruz wharf collapses, throws 3 into ocean.
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