Three people rescued as iconic California wharf collapses into ocean amid major storm swells
Three construction workers had to be rescued from the water after an iconic wharf in California collapsed into the ocean during a massive storm.
The three workers were demolishing a restaurant on Santa Cruz’s municipal wharf, which was damaged by a storm surge last year, when the collapse occurred around 12:44 p.m. according to USA Today.
“We had our engineer, our engineering team and our site crew on site monitoring on a minute-by-minute basis,” city official Matt Huffaker said of the city’s decision to renovate the wharf amid storm surges.
“We decided based on our forecast models that it would be safe to do this today, with constant monitoring.”
Two were rescued by lifeguards, while the last emerged from the water on their own, police told KSBW. They suffered only minor injuries.
A video posted to social media showed two of the construction workers waving for help atop driftwood as officials rushed to the scene on jet skis.
No members of the public were present when the collapse occurred, amid the $4 million renovation to repair damage to the quay.
However, the wharf was quickly evacuated when approximately 50 meters of the end of the wharf, including the Dolphin Restaurant and toilet, floated into the ocean.
Three construction workers had to be rescued from the water on Monday after the Santa Cruz municipal construction site collapsed
The Dolphin Restaurant and the bathrooms on the edge of the quay were sent into the water
A crane and a skid steer loader were also seen adrift in the water.
Footage posted online showed the structures floating away from the coast before sinking as shocked Californians looked on.
“We heard the pier creaking and he was swaying a lot,” London Ky. said.
“So my friend actually noticed that, but we brushed it off, and probably within the next five minutes the whole thing fell into the water.”
Docks remained badly damaged and became unstable in some areas and ships were in danger of sinking as wave conditions continued, with wave heights reaching 26 feet high. according to KRON.
These stormy conditions are expected to continue through Thursday.
“Due to life-threatening conditions, we ask that you avoid all beaches, including coastal areas such as rocks, jetties or cliffs,” a public safety alert said.
The three workers were demolishing a restaurant on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf that was damaged by a storm surge last year when the collapse occurred around 12:44 p.m.
Stunned onlookers watched as the structures floated away
‘Dangerous and powerful waves can unexpectedly flood entire beaches. Do not enter the water or cross the flooded streets along the coast.
“You are risking your life, and the lives of the people who should be trying to save you, by getting in or too close to the water.”
The National Weather Service also posted online that “the ocean is not churning today.
“There are life-threatening (and property) threatening conditions for the remainder of today and tomorrow.”
A crane and a skid steer were also seen adrift in the ocean, as well as driftwood and street lamps
About 50 meters of the end of the quay collapsed during the enormous storm surge
The Santa Cruz Harbor and Wharf are now closed until further notice, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk said this would be the case as well closed for the rest of the day as a precaution, citing ‘major damage caused by storm surge’.
“While some landside businesses are open, access and parking may be severely limited,” the report said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office said he had been informed of the pier collapse.
The Office of Emergency Services is now coordinating with local agencies and officials.