By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-24 05:26:31 | Updated at 2024-12-24 19:24:32
14 hours ago
Three construction workers had to be rescued from the water after an iconic California wharf collapsed into the ocean amid a major storm.
The three workers were tearing down a restaurant on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf that was damaged in a storm surge last year when the collapse occurred at around 12.44pm, according to USA Today.
'We had our engineer, our engineering team and our wharf crew on-site monitoring minute by minute,' city official Matt Huffaker said of the city's decision to renovate the wharf amid storm surges.
'We made the decision that based on our forecasting models, it would be safe to do so today with constant monitoring.'
Two were rescued by lifeguards, while the last got out of the water on their own, police told KSBW. They suffered only minor injuries.
Video posted to social media showed two of the construction workers waving for help atop of drift wood as officials on jet skis rushed to the scene.
No members of the public were present when the collapse occurred, amid the $4million renovation to fix damages to the wharf.
Still, the wharf was quickly evacuated as about 150 feet of the end of the wharf, including the Dolphin Restaurant and restroom, drifted off into the ocean.
Three construction workers had to be rescued from the water after the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf collapsed on Monday
The Dolphin Restaurant and bathrooms at the edge of the wharf were sent into the water
Video captured the moment a person was rescued after the Santa Cruz Wharf partially collapsed on Monday. In the video, you can see a person standing on a part of the wharf floating in the water as a rescuer on a jet ski picks them up. In total two people had to be rescued and one… pic.twitter.com/do8FlG2d9M
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) December 23, 2024A crane and skid steer were also seen adrift in the water.
Footage posted online showed the structures floating away from the shore before sinking, as shocked Californians watched on.
'We hear the pier cracking and it was swinging a lot,' London Ky recounted.
'So my friend actually noticed that, but we kind of waved it off, and then probably within the next five minutes, the whole thing crashed into the water.'
Docks were left severely damaged and became unstable in some areas and vessels were in danger of sinking as surge conditions continue, with wave heights of up to 26 feet high, according to KRON.
Those stormy conditions are expected to last through Thursday.
'Due to life-threatening conditions, please avoid all beaches, including coastal overlook areas such as rocks, jetties or cliffs,' a public safety alert read.
The three workers were tearing down a restaurant on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf that was damaged in a storm surge last year when the collapse occurred at around 12.44pm
Stunned onlookers watched as the structures drifted away
'Dangerous and powerful waves can sweep across entire beaches unexpectedly. Do not enter the water and do not cross the flooded streets along the coast.
'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.'
The National Weather Service also posted online that 'the ocean is not messing around today.
'There are life (and property) threatening conditions for the remainder of today and tomorrow.'
A crane and skid steer were also seen adrift in the ocean, as were drift wood and street lamps
About 150 feet of the end of the wharf collapsed amid the massive storm surge
The Santa Cruz Harbor and Wharf are now closed until further notice, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk said it would close for the rest of the day out of precaution, citing 'extensive damage caused by storm surge.
'Though some landside businesses are open, access and parking may be severely limited,' it noted.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's Office said he was briefed on the pier collapse.
The Office of Emergency Services is now coordinating with local agencies and officials.
