A powerful storm has battered the central coast of California, leading to the death of an individual and the partial destruction of a pier

On December 23, 2024, a pier in Santa Cruz, California, collapsed and drifted into the ocean due to a severe storm affecting the area, according to weather officials. Firefighters reported that lifeguards successfully rescued two individuals from the structure, while a third person was able to extricate themselves from the situation.

A significant storm struck California's central coast on Monday, resulting in flooding and elevated surf conditions. This severe weather was responsible for the tragic death of a man who became trapped under debris on a beach, as well as the partial collapse of a pier that sent three individuals into the Pacific Ocean.

The storm was anticipated to generate hurricane-strength winds and waves reaching heights of 60 feet (18 meters) as it intensified from California to the Pacific Northwest. Several cities in California issued evacuation orders for beachfront residences and hotels early Monday afternoon, as meteorologists cautioned that storm swells would persist in escalating throughout the day.

Later on Monday, the National Weather Service declared that a coastal flood warning would remain in place until noon on Tuesday, while a high surf warning would be active until 6 p.m. that same day.

Fred Keeley, the mayor of Santa Cruz, stated, "We expect that the situation we are facing is more severe than what we encountered this morning," referring to the collapse of the pier in the city.

In Watsonville, near Monterey Bay, emergency responders were dispatched to Sunset State Beach, a state park, at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Monday following reports of a man trapped beneath debris. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office suspects that a large wave caused him to become pinned. Unfortunately, the man was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Further details are currently unavailable, and his identity has not yet been disclosed.

A man was likely swept into the Pacific Ocean around noon on Monday due to the storm's high surf at Marina State Beach, located nearly 13 miles (21 kilometers) south of Watsonville, according to authorities.

The US Coast Guard and California Highway Patrol were dispatched to conduct a search for the individual both by air and sea; however, they were unable to locate him, as reported by the Marina Police. The search was ultimately called off approximately two hours later due to deteriorating conditions caused by strong currents and high waves. As of Monday evening, the man was still unaccounted for.

In Santa Cruz, a section of the municipal wharf that was under construction partially gave way and plunged into the ocean at approximately 12:45 p.m., resulting in three individuals falling with it. Lifeguards successfully rescued two of the individuals, while the third managed to swim to safety. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries reported.

Mayor Keeley stated that the affected portion of the wharf had sustained damage over the years. The structure was undergoing a $4 million renovation after being impacted by severe storms last winter, located about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of San Francisco.

David Johnston, owner of Venture Quest Kayaking, expressed his concerns, stating, “It’s a disaster for those at the end of the wharf,” after being permitted to access the pier to assess the situation of his business.

Tony Elliot, the director of the Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department, reported that approximately 150 feet (45 meters) of the wharf has collapsed into the water. The area has been evacuated and will remain closed for an indefinite period.

The mayor noted that several pilings from the wharf are still submerged and pose “serious, serious hazards” to vessels. Each piling weighs several hundred pounds and is being subjected to strong wave action.

The National Weather Service’s Bay Area office cautioned on the social platform X, stating, “You are endangering your life and the lives of those who may attempt to rescue you by approaching or entering the water.”

The section of the Santa Cruz Wharf that detached had been closed for renovations. This segment, which housed public restrooms and the now-closed Dolphin restaurant, drifted approximately half a mile (0.8 kilometers) along the coast before becoming lodged at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River.

Two engineers and a project manager, who were conducting an inspection at the end of the wharf, fell into the water, according to officials. There were no members of the public present in the vicinity.

Building inspectors were assessing the structural integrity of the remaining sections of the pier.

Further along the West Coast, hazardous surf conditions with waves reaching up to 30 feet (9.1 meters) were anticipated from the central Oregon coast to southwestern Washington. Winds could reach speeds of nearly 80 mph (130 kph), and a high surf warning is in effect until 10 p.m. on Monday, as reported by forecasters.

In a statement on X, the National Weather Service office in Portland, Oregon, indicated that this event is likely to be recorded as one of the highest surf occurrences this winter.