Chunk of Santa Cruz Pier collapses as massive waves pound Northern California
Dangerous surf washed away a 150-foot chunk of the Santa Cruz wharf. The extreme waves and coastal flooding are forecast to continue for all of the Pacific Coast through Tuesday.
Dangerous waves brought down part of the Santa Cruz Pier on Monday and prompted multiple water rescues from the Pacific Ocean this week as waves up to 60 feet are forecast along the shores of California.
Multiple atmospheric rivers are marching across the Pacific, bringing rounds of moisture and dangerous winds to the West Coast, including monster waves.
Forecasters with the National Weather Service San Francisco office said dangerous and life-threatening beach conditions are forecast through Tuesday for all Pacific coast beaches. Those threats include high surf, rip currents, sneaker waves and coastal flooding.
Santa Cruz police and fire departments responded on Monday afternoon when part of the Santa Cruz Wharf collapsed into the ocean and was seen floating away.
Part of the Santa Cruz Wharf floating in the Pacific Ocean on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024.
(Santa Cruz Police Department)
Two people were rescued by Santa Cruz County lifeguards, and one person got out of the water on their own, according to the fire department.
Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley said the 150-foot chunk of the pier that fell into the ocean was closed to the public for repair because of previous damage from another storm.
When the pier went down, three city personnel were on the pier inspecting the structure for safety from the ongoing coastal storm.
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Over the next two days, the surf is forecast to intensify along the Pacific coast.
“I am very concerned that we will lose additional portions of our municipal wharf,” Keeley told reporters.
High Surf Advisories are in place through Tuesday for the entire Pacific coast, which includes more than 2.5 million people.
West Coast surf alerts through Tuesday.
(FOX Weather)
Dangerous breaking waves up to 35 feet are possible along the Pacific coast through Tuesday. Waves up to 60 feet are forecast for the Northern California region.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, wave heights are nearing 30 feet in the Bay Area and 20 feet in Santa Cruz County.
California State Parks officials told FOX Weather multiple ocean rescues occurred between Sunday and Monday.
On Sunday, State Parks lifeguards and Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County responded to a surfer in distress at New Brighton State Beach during high surf. The surfer was escorted to safety.
A parade of storms is sending massive swells across the Pacific Coast bringing extreme surf and dangerous conditions. The rough conditions took down part of the Santa Cruz Pier in California on Monday.
On Monday, Central Fire responded to multiple rescues near state beaches, including one at Sunset Beach, where a person was trapped under debris from high surf. Bystanders and first responders rescued the person, who sustained injuries and was taken to a local hospital.
The Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County website shows crews responded to at least two water rescues on Monday near Live Oak and Capitola beaches.
“Happening now in Capitola! The swell has not even peaked yet. You are risking your life and the lives of others by getting in or too close to the water,” the NWS wrote with a video of waves pounding a boardwalk in Capitola.
Some Northern California state parks are closed or have brought in more lifeguards to respond to the rough surf.
This storm is “another example of how, despite our best predictions, talking with our weather experts, Mother Nature surprised us,” Santa Cruz City manager Matt Huffaker said.
The beaches surrounding the Santa Cruz Wharf are closed because pilings and other debris could wash up in the coming days. The restroom part of the pier that collapsed had already washed up along the Santa Cruz coastline and was being pounded by waves.
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