Santa Cruz experienced a dramatic scene on Monday as a fierce storm wreaked havoc on its iconic wharf. Waves as high as 60 feet, part of the massive storm, caused a 150-foot section of the pier to crumble into the sea. The wharf, which was under renovation due to previous storm damages, saw several structures washed away. Among them were a restroom building, a closed restaurant named The Dolphin, and construction equipment.
Fred Keeley, the mayor of Santa Cruz, confirmed that three people were swept out to sea during the collapse. Thankfully, two were rescued by skilled swimmers, while the third managed to self-rescue. Mayor Keeley urged locals to stay away from the water until further notice, emphasizing the dangers of the rough seas.
The storm not only affected the wharf but also caused widespread flooding and damage along the Pacific coast in California. In a tragic event, a man lost his life at Sunset State Beach after being trapped under debris by a massive wave.
Tony Elliott, the director of parks and recreation for Santa Cruz, stated that the wharf will remain closed indefinitely until a thorough assessment of the structure can be conducted. The collapsed section had been closed since January for construction purposes.
