The first major winter weather event of the season caused one death and left two people missing, severely damaged the historic Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, and sparked coastal evacuations in Santa Cruz County. And the storm system that is responsible is centered far from the Central Coast.
“This most recent incident was another testament to the power of our changing climate,” said Santa Cruz City Manager Matt Huffaker. “It's really blowing through our forecasts.”
Huffaker spoke at a news conference Monday following the collapse of a 150-foot section of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. Heavy waves washed away the section, which was still undergoing repairs following storm damage last year. The entire half mile-long wharf remains closed as crews inspect it for structural damage. In addition, Santa Cruz’s Main Beach and Cowell’s Beach, which sit on either side of the wharf, are closed indefinitely because of potential debris. Down the coast, Seabright and Twin Lakes beaches are closed until at least December 30, according to the California State Parks Department.
The National Weather Service said dangerous conditions are likely to persist through the weekend. A high surf advisory has been extended until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday from north of San Francisco to Big Sur.
“Life-threatening swimming and surfing conditions and significant shoreline erosion can be expected,” the Weather Service said.
At Sunset State Beach near Watsonville, authorities said a man was killed after being trapped under debris Monday morning. The Parks Department said that bystanders and rescuers managed to free the man, a Santa Cruz County resident whose name they are withholding pending notification of relatives. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Around 15 miles down the coast at Marina State Beach in Marina, a man was reported missing Monday afternoon after he was swept off the beach despite standing "a good distance from the water," said Sgt. Chris Johnson of the Marina Police Department. Authorities had to call off their search Monday afternoon due to the weather and ocean conditions. A search today, both on the beach and in the air by drone, was also unsuccessful, said Johnson. Authorities are withholding the man's identity pending notification of relatives.
And in Pebble Beach, a person was swept from the rocks along 17-Mile Drive. A Monterey County Sheriff’s spokesperson said that the weather and ocean conditions are hampering the search, but that it is presumed to be a recovery operation. The person’s name has not been released.
Earlier this week, the California Parks Department issued a warning about dangerous conditions, including waves as high as 20 to 30 feet, all this week.
“These swell events will create dangerous rip currents, large set waves, and tidal surges coinciding with the Holiday Season,” the advisory said.
Officials said the greatest risk is on west-facing beaches. Regardless, they warn beachgoers to stay off of rocks, don’t walk in wet sand, and never turn your back on the ocean.
Additional reporting by KAZU’s Erin Malsbury
