As per the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, a man was trapped beneath debris at a beach on Monday after being struck by a large wave, turning the wild weather in Santa Cruz deadly.
The death occurred at Sunset State Beach in Santa Cruz, approximately 75 miles south of San Francisco, at 11:30 a.m. local time. The man was pulled from the water by first responders, but the sheriff’s office reported that he was later declared dead at a hospital. The name of the man was not made public right away.
The sheriff’s office also reported that the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf pier partially collapsed as a result of the storm. According to the sheriff’s office, three men who were all part of a city crew that was working on the pier at the time were thrown into the ocean.
The third worker swam to shore alone, but lifeguards rushed in and saved two of the men.
Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley said none of the men were seriously hurt. At the end of the pier, which was being restored for $4 million, a 150-foot section was cut off in the incident. The pier was left floating in the water in large pieces.
Video showed a first responder on a jet ski rescuing a worker who was stranded on a section of the pier that was floating in the water.
Due to high tides and significant swells, the sheriff’s office also ordered residents living along a roughly 3-mile stretch of shoreline just south of Santa Cruz to evacuate Monday afternoon.
The National Weather Service in the Bay Area warned that dangerous and life-threatening beach conditions are forecast for along the Pacific Coast through Tuesday, including rough seas and breaking waves up to 60 feet.
FAQs
What caused the pier collapse in Santa Cruz?
Massive waves from a powerful storm crashed into the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, collapsing a 150-foot section and tossing workers into the ocean. Fortunately, all workers were safely rescued.
How deadly is the storm in California?
The storm has claimed one life in Santa Cruz, left another man missing near Monterey, and caused severe destruction along the coast, with 60-foot waves and dangerous conditions.
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