Enduring high surf and flooding risks along California’s coastline kept residents vigilant a day after a significant storm was linked to one man’s death and the partial failure of a pier, which sent three individuals into the Pacific Ocean.
Additionally, two other men were missing on Tuesday, with one presumed deceased, after being washed out to sea in central California. Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard in the Los Angeles region searched for two others after their boat was discovered capsized earlier in the day.
The National Weather Service warned of hazardous, large-breaking waves reaching up to 35 feet (10.7 meters) on Christmas Eve. The latest high surf warning is set to remain in effect until 6 p.m. Tuesday.
“Massive waves can rush across the beach with little warning, dragging people into the sea from rocks, jetties, and beaches,” the weather service cautioned in a Christmas Eve advisory.
In Santa Cruz, a municipal wharf under construction partially gave way on Monday, leading to most beaches being closed off due to high surf and debris.
On Tuesday morning, residents received alerts on their phones urging them to “stay away from all beaches, including coastal overlook areas such as rocks, jetties, or cliffs.” The alerts warned that powerful waves could unexpectedly sweep entire beaches.
Local authorities indicated there may be additional harm to the wharf, but no further sections broke away overnight.
The wharf fell into the ocean around midday Monday, taking three individuals with it. Two were rescued by lifeguards, while a third managed to swim to safety. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries reported.
A high surf advisory continues in Ventura County coastal regions. Lauren Coronado reports for NBC4 at 11 a.m. on Dec. 24, 2024.
Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley mentioned that in the coming weeks and months, officials would need to evaluate long-term strategies for safeguarding the coastal city against the effects of climate change.
“We are fortunate that no one was harmed in this situation, which could have resulted in significantly worse injuries and damage to both onshore and offshore properties,” he stated during a media briefing on Tuesday.
“Yet, I believe we face an uncertain future as we progress,” he added. “I suspect many coastal communities worldwide are grappling with similar challenges.”
The structure was undergoing a $4 million renovation after being damaged by severe storms last winter, approximately 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of San Francisco.
“It’s devastating for those at the far end of the wharf,” remarked David Johnston, who was permitted onto the pier on Monday to check on his business, Venture Quest Kayaking.
Tony Elliot, head of the Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department, estimated that roughly 150 feet (45 meters) of the wharf’s end collapsed into the water. The area was immediately evacuated and will remain closed indefinitely.
Some of the wharf’s pilings are still submerged and pose “serious, serious dangers” to boats, according to the mayor. Each piling weighs several hundred pounds and is being battered by powerful waves.
“You are endangering your life, as well as that of potential rescuers, by approaching the water,” the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office stated on the social platform X.
Building inspectors assessed the remaining structural integrity of the pier.
Various California cities mandated the evacuation of beachfront homes and hotels early Monday afternoon as forecasters anticipated that storm swells would continue to escalate throughout the day.
In Watsonville along the Monterey Bay, first responders answered a call to Sunset State Beach, a state park, around 11:30 a.m. Monday regarding a man trapped under debris. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office suspects a large wave pinned him there. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Additionally, the storm’s rough surf likely pulled another man into the Pacific Ocean at Marina State Beach around noon on Monday, nearly 13 miles (21 kilometers) south of Watsonville, authorities reported. Strong currents and high waves forced search teams to cease their efforts roughly two hours later as conditions deteriorated. The man remained missing by Monday evening.
Farther south in Carmel Bay, as of Tuesday afternoon, a man remained unaccounted for after reports indicated someone was swept off the rocks into the ocean at Pebble Beach on Monday, local emergency responders reported. The Coast Guard will “shift to a recovery search as ocean conditions get better in the coming days,” officials stated. Given the rough ocean conditions, the man is presumed dead.
Off the coast of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, south of Los Angeles, the Coast Guard conducted a search for two individuals on Tuesday after their vessel was discovered capsized. They had previously been reported overdue during their trip when the boat was located.
