The Santa Cruz Wharf is reopening after a slight fall into the ocean during the surf

The Santa Cruz Wharf reopened to tourists and businesses on Saturday, less than two weeks after heavy storm surges crashed more than 100 meters into the ocean.

“Let the public know, let people all over Northern California know, it's safe to come to our terminal,” Mayor Fred Keeley said during a reopening ceremony over the weekend.

About 150 feet at the end of the dock washed away last month during dangerous high surf from a series of surface river events that have hit Northern California, Oregon and Washington.

The end of the fishery had been closed for community maintenance due to heavy rain and storms in the past two years. Last month's waves destroyed construction equipment and a toilet, according to city officials.

Three construction workers who were project managers and supervisors fell into the sea when the pier collapsed. Two were rescued by lifeguards, and one got out, city officials said.

A video posted on social media shows part of the hole floating in the water. The city immediately closed the port.

Keeley said security experts have reviewed the port “end to end, wall to wall, side to side” and marine sonar equipment to ensure it is “sound and safe” for tourists and merchants.

Infrastructure consulting firm Moffatt & Nichol completed a structural and sonar inspection of the city center in the weeks after the collapse, which “confirmed that the structure remains sound.” The city has urged residents to report any sightings of boat-related debris.

Santa Cruz's harbor brings in 1.5 to 2 million visitors each year, but the collapse has raised questions about whether the pier can be rebuilt as city officials anticipate more damaging storms to come amid climate change.