Three individuals fell into the ocean following the partial collapse of a wharf in California, which was caused by the intense surf generated by a significant storm.

 Three individuals fell into the ocean following the partial collapse of a wharf in California, which was caused by the intense surf generated by a significant storm.

A frame captured from a drone video depicts a section of the Santa Cruz Wharf following its collapse into the Pacific Ocean on Monday, December 23.

SANTA CRUZ, Calif.  

On Monday, two individuals were rescued while a third managed to swim to safety following the partial collapse of a pier under construction, which fell into the ocean. This incident occurred as the central coast of California experienced severe surf conditions due to a significant storm that is anticipated to bring hurricane-force winds to the waters off the Pacific Northwest, according to officials. 

Residents have been advised to avoid low-lying areas near the beaches adjacent to the Santa Cruz Wharf, located approximately 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of San Francisco, as the storm intensified rapidly. 

The National Weather Service’s Bay Area office cautioned on the social media platform X, stating, “You are risking your life, and those of the people that would need to try and save you by getting in or too close to the water.”

Lifeguards successfully rescued two individuals from the water, as reported by officials from the Santa Cruz Fire Department. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries, according to Mayor Fred Keeley.

The mayor indicated that the section of the wharf that collapsed had suffered damage over time. This structure was undergoing a $4 million renovation following the severe storms that occurred last winter.

“It’s a disaster for those at the end of the wharf,” remarked David Johnston, owner of Venture Quest Kayaking, who was permitted to access the pier to assess his business.

Tony Elliot, the director of the Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department, estimated that approximately 150 feet (45 meters) of the wharf's end fell into the water around 12:45 p.m. The area was promptly evacuated and will remain closed for an indefinite period.

Some pilings from the wharf are still submerged and pose “serious, serious hazards” to vessels, the mayor noted. Each piling weighs several hundred pounds and is being moved by strong waves.

Governor Gavin Newsom has been informed, and the state’s Office of Emergency Services is collaborating with local authorities, as stated by his office.

Meteorologists have cautioned that storm swells are expected to intensify throughout the day.

“We anticipate that what is approaching is more severe than what we experienced this morning,” the mayor stated.

Ocean swells along California’s central coast could reach heights of 60 feet (18 meters) as the Pacific storm intensifies through Monday, according to the weather service.

“A rapidly developing storm will bring hurricane-force winds to areas well offshore of the Pacific Northwest tonight,” the Ocean Prediction Center of the weather service announced on X.

The section of the pier that detached had been closed for renovations. This part, which included public restrooms and the now-closed Dolphin restaurant, drifted approximately half a mile (0.8 kilometers) down the coast and became lodged at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River.

The individuals who fell into the water were two engineers and a project manager conducting an inspection at the end of the wharf, as reported by officials.