High surf turns deadly in California as powerful waves destroy part of Santa Cruz Pier, prompt water rescues
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. 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.
Waves destroy part of Santa Cruz wharf, pound West Coast
Powerful waves of up to 60 ft destroy buildings and a portion of the Santa Cruz wharf Monday as a series of atmospheric river events produce life-threatening beach conditions along the West Coast and Hawaii. Dec. 24, 2024.
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – High surf along the California coast trapped a man under debris at a Santa Cruz state park Monday morning, before causing part of the Santa Cruz Pier to collapse.
Powerful waves have been pounding the Golden State this week, produced by multiple atmospheric rivers that have brought rounds of moisture and dangerous winds to the West Coast.
The rough surf trapped a man under debris at Sunset State Beach in Santa Cruz County, FOX 2 San Francisco reported. He was freed by bystanders but later died at a hospital.
A view of big waves in Pacific Ocean at Municipal Pier of Pacifica, California, United States on December 22, 2024. (Tayfun Coskun / Anadolu / Getty Images)
North of the beach at Santa Cruz Pier, dangerous waves brought down part of the pier and led to multiple people being rescued from the Pacific Ocean.
Santa Cruz police and fire departments responded Monday afternoon when part of the Santa Cruz Wharf collapsed into the ocean and was seen floating away.
Part of Santa Cruz wharf washes into Pacific amid rough seas
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.
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.
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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 it to conduct a safety inspection during the ongoing coastal storm.
"I am very concerned that we will lose additional portions of our municipal wharf," Keeley told reporters.
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.
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.
A view of big waves in Pacific Ocean at Municipal Pier of Pacifica, California, United States on December 22, 2024. (Tayfun Coskun / Anadolu / Getty Images)
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.
Rough surf continues through at least Tuesday night
Forecasters with the National Weather Service's San Francisco office said dangerous and life-threatening beach conditions are forecast and issued a High Surf Warning that remains in effect until 6 p.m. Tuesday for all Pacific coast beaches. Those threats include rip currents, sneaker waves, coastal flooding and waves of 25-35 feet. Waves up to 60 feet are possible for the Northern California region.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, wave heights have neared 30 feet in the Bay Area and 20 feet in Santa Cruz County.