Remarkable video shows three people surviving after a 15o foot portion of the Santa Cruz Pier collapses. Two engineers and a project manager from a construction team fell into the ocean with the pier and were rescued as the portion that collapsed floated away.
Remarkable video captures the aftermath, and the lifeguards responding as even a skid loader was floating atop the debris.
CALIFORNIA – A portion of the Santa Cruz Wharf has collapsed and is floating away Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Three people went into the water when the pier section collapsed, according to the Santa Cruz Police Department. Two of them were rescued by lifeguards, and a third person was able to get to safety on their own. All three were treated and released, according to Santa Cruz Fire Department officials.
The incident occurred around 12:45 p.m., officials said. About 150 feet of pier section at the end of the Northern California wharf collapsed.
The end of the pier that broke off had been shut down for repairs caused by prior storms. The portion, which included public restrooms and the closed Dolphin restaurant, floated about half a mile down the coast and wedged itself at the bottom of the San Lorenzo River.
The collapse comes amid a major swell that is expected to bring wave heights up to 26 feet high to parts of the California coast. The swell is expected to last through Tuesday.
“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 NWS said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said the governor has been briefed on the pier collapse. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is coordinating with local agencies and officials. (read more)
Yikes! In the shocking video (screengrab below) you can see two of the workers floating away on top of the debris, shortly before lifeguard arrived to pull them to safety.
If only we could pass some sort of Bill to fix aging infrastructure.. Oh wait..nevermind..
I’d stay off the slopes this year as well. All the resorts should have their lifts and Trams inspected..
150-175 skiers had to be rescued from gondolas at Winter Park two days ago. Some support had cracked.
I posted that in the Open Thread today..
Clearly, $195 ticket prices aren’t enough for upkeep!
Piers in Calif getting demolished by big storms all the time. They are wooden, spindly, and jut out into an ocean that can be temperamental. Love to blame it on government efficiency but it’s inexorable nature on display.
Everything is crumbling.. the high rises in Miami are sinking, what a shocker!
They keep developing in Sinkhole Country in my part of Florida.. sh!tty rushed construction on sketchy build sites is never going to end well .
Same thing here in the desert in California. They keep developing and irrigating then are surprised when we get sinkholes and quicksand.
Quicksand? Where? It was my biggest fear as a 70s/80s kid. Sorry stole that from a comedian, by do second his childhood opinion.
with illegals on the “construction” payroll
Buncha woodbutchers.. the one guy that can read plans can’t read for sh!t..
In premise yes but when you know this is the case you plan for maintenance and repairs AHEAD of failure then this does not happen.
Same for them shutting off power during windy days. Why not fix the lines so they don’t fall instead?
Or clean the tinderbox up underneath the lines..
The environuts won’t hear of that.
Because cutting off power conditions people to being at the mercy of a remorseless bureaucracy looking out for them in the new age of tightly rationed resources.
They would if the Public Utilities Commission would allow a rate increase to cover it. I worked at SDG&E in the 1960s and they were spending a fortune to underground the electrical lines even then. It’s very expensive especially for the “medium high voltage” or “distribution” lines, which are the ones that usually fail in high winds. Costs are similar to undergrounding high voltage, but the conductors (copper) are thicker (watts=voltage x current, so for the same power, the lower the voltage the higher the current = thicker conductors). PUC hates rate increases because it makes them look bad. The power shutoff is from the PG&E ruling that a storm is not an act of God (old definition) and there by the power company is liable for the resulting fire. ALL power companies spend millions cutting branches of trees away from power lines, which should be the owners of the property liability.
PGE is also enjoined from aggressively managing its rights of way in State forests to remove dead growth. Keep the forest natural don’t you know. There has been inevitable build up of highly flammable dead wood that feeds even little natural, if not arson or careless, fires. The State keeps them from clearing dead woods then hangs them when there is a fire.
A few years ago, the local power company did trim and cut the trees on our land along their power-line right of way (leading to the house …), and while they did officially “ask permission,” I wasn’t charged a cent. During the summer, I have to make sure that vines don’t grow up the guy-wires and blow a fuse at the transformer.
Kingcruiser – you are exactly right. I worked for PG&E for over 30 years and have seen many fires started by high winds. It’s important to remember that the winds don’t cause the conductors to break and fall, it’s the flying vegetative debris carried by the wind that fall in / onto the overhead wires which causes a short across the phases, causing electrical arcs, which ignites fires.
When the state decided that wind driven storms, or “acts of God” don’t exist anymore, PG&E said “Okay, fine. We’ll de-energize the circuits – cut the power – so that you can’t blame us if a fire starts somewhere.”
Additionally, PG&E wasn’t allowed to trim trees with sufficient distance through their right-of-way because people didn’t like looking at or seeing the overhead wires, thus allowing vegetation to be closer to the wires and more likely to cause a fault. Hopefully that has been corrected.
Should be “act of nature”. Thanks for Ohm’s Law.
As for who should be cutting away branches of trees, if a utility is granted an easement, then it should keep the byway clear.
Bureaucrats! Gobermnt!
That would take common sense, something that is in short supply in CA. Plus, where does the money that is allocated for these things go? In my town it’s been 10 years and they still haven’t repaired the dam. A spillway failed a few years ago, causing flooding and loss of homes downstream and they still didn’t do anything. The feds finally stepped in and made them drain it. So now, in the middle of all the great rain we’ve had, there is nothing to collect the water. Then they scream “Drought! Climate Change! Eliminate gas stoves!”, etc. Meanwhile, Greaseball Newsom bought another mansion for himself in Marin County.
CA is the lunatic land of imbeciles and thoroughly, criminally corrupt government officials. Re the issue in Santa Cruz, it’s a miracle that people weren’t killed. The wharf area is usually heavily populated.
A fond memory, of Charleston, pre Hugo…a wonderful restaurant….is hard to find old photos…Folly Beach and the Atlantic House restaurant…
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/7248049373390090/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/7248049373390090/
Beautiful looking restaurant with what had to be a spectacular view.
Yes! I am a Charleston girl (Mt Pleasant) and have moved to Greenville, SC. The Atlantic House was iconic.
The reason: “climate change”, according to City of Santa Cruz spokesman.
The idiocy continues.
If you knew Santa Cruz, you’d understand this comment. The place is insane.
I knew…Santa Cruz in 1960. We went to the boardwalk many times. My cousins owned a few confessions. Pizza and ice cream. Now have over 10 of the bussinesses. They are conservatives in liberals paradise. They bite their tongues.
The Fun House is Loco..
President Trump Won!
CUT THE CORD
A totally preventable failure of programable maintenance/repair. This foreseeable event has been neglected and postponed until failure was eminent.
In 2023 the Dolphin Restaurant (a favorite breakfast spot my wife and I frequented) closed due to a failure of the Pier beneath it.
They have had some degree of construction going ever since. The sagging area under the Dolphin had been straightened, so it appeared things we’re headed in the right Directions.
Now this! Seems like someone doesn’t know what the hell they’re doing. Blame it on climate change instead of poor workmanship. CYA.
But hey… at least we made national news.
“Seems like someone doesn’t know what the hell they’re doing.”
Emphatic agreement ! But understand that the obvious ignorance is displaced by significant hubris wherein the government in CA believe they know better – their priorities are “better” than the rest of us.
I’m not sure this will sufficiently embarrass the California Commies and induce them to change their priorities.
Fluor designed a pier that was built in Oceanside CA that has withstood those storms after the old piers got beat up so much.
Where’s Little Petey BootyCakes ?? Oh wait….is he STILL nursing the baby….for FOUR years ?!?!
You know that kid will turn out perfectly fine. My 2 lactating dads.
Oh well.
From what I understand many many of the piers on the west, east and gulf coast are at least a hundred or more years old. Around 50% of America’s piers are not inspected as they should be, unless there is a natural disaster like hurricane, or earthquake or someone is injured on one.
That was the result of the California Marxist government’s badly and radically misplaced priorities, not the lack of a federal infrastructure bill. Thanks go to Governor Grusome and his commie buddies in the CA state legislature….
Thay servived that in it self is a merry Christmas
floated about half a mile down the coast and wedged itself at the bottom of the San Lorenzo River.
Translation: It sank.
N’est-ce pas?! 🥴
The dock succumbed to pier pressure 🙂
oh, WORDMAN!
Ha ha ha!
EXCELLENT!!! 🤣
Mavericks was at 25-35 ft today. I’ve watched it and the crazy brave surfers many times when it was rip roaring like this. I only ever watched from the cliffs. A lot of people watch from the jetty and beach (if any with that swell) and wind up washed out or badly battered. But it is an awesome, mesmorizing sight to see those mega waves.
One of the few things I miss about California – the beaches at Half Moon Bay and watching the big waves break when Mavericks is rocking. Too bad they stopped letting people watch from the cliffs up above.
It’s a military installation now.
They ran the “Eddie” here at Waimea Saturday (minimum Hawaii-style wave heights 20 ft equals about 40 ft “face height” as measured elsewhere). Won by a local big-wave surfer.
So what is causing these “massive ocean swells” ?
Bird Flu?
Winter. Pounds the crap out of Half Moon Bay, some years more than others.
So what is causing these “massive ocean swells” ?
Winter. Pounds the crap out of Half Moon Bay
Yep … Winter
I was just going to open a comment to reply when I saw yours
Everything is so hyped these days, people forget something as simple as the seasons
Massive snowpacks or ocean piers collapsing?
well, it’s winter again
like last year around this time, remember?
they just ran a surf contest Sunday in Hawaii that has a 2 month holding period waiting for 40-ft surf or it doesn’t go
those same swells are hitting California now
Only the 11th time the “Eddie” has run. So it’s a big deal.
Clivus: It’s a tidal surge of Covid cases. Surfers are advised to get their boosters.
Wordman got some competition. Just sayin’
A pigeon with brid flu flapped it wings in western China..
If it was a butterfly we’d all be in trouble.
They tested the waves and PCR tests confirmed it. Bill Gates, Fauci, and Newsome are requiring mandatory vaccinations and lockdowns. You can’t be too cautious.
Silly…irs climate change…s/
That yellow tractor thingy made it all the way to the beach on the raft. It fell over at the last second though.
It’s called a Bobcat!! For a reason!!
My husband has a skid steer = bobcat, and I still call it a white tractor thingy from time to time.
Virtual inspections and repairs..? yep virtual repairs via drone .. got it
In a scene reminiscent of the 2024 Democrat party it all just came apart.
On the upside, almost every SC resident was high and is unaware this occurred.
The most beautiful and original California beach town.
Great posts below! California is in awful shape, in many ways. Too bad they don’t have a guv who has active brain cells.
https://californiaglobe.com/articles/california-exodus-golden-state-tops-us-moving-migration-report/
An 80% Kamala voting county. One of the highest in the state
So glad that they all made it out safely.
It always seems odd to me that our super advanced civilization never learned whatever weird tricks Venice and Amsterdam perfected centuries ago. I remember wondering years ago during Katrina why our Army Corps of Engineers doesn’t hire some Dutch engineers to teach them a few things about building and maintaining cities near water. Too proud? I don’t get it.
That wasn’t the problem. During the Carter administration the Army Corps of Engineers did a study and recommended reconstruction and upgrades. The environmentalist got wind of the study and protested, so the work was never done.
Dutch engineers would not have done any better.
Once again, democrat policies, democrat priorities, and predictable democrat outcomes.
There were at least 2 tragic fatalities. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. May perpetual light shine upon them.
https://www.ksbw.com/article/marina-police-suspend-search-man-swept-ocean/63267590
https://www.nsnews.com/world-news/man-dies-after-large-wave-trapped-him-under-debris-on-california-beach-likely-related-to-storm-9999499
Had brunch at the Dolphin about 12 years ago. Overpriced and a long wait.
Fare thee well, California
Climate Change strikes again!!
Recall President Trump visiting CA and the mayor talking with him about land falling into the sea. Is this the area?
PDJT’s golf club is further south near Los Angeles. Lots of sandstone cliffs down there. Waterlogging due to population & vegetation is certainly implicated. However, the erosion near his golf club has been going on for decades from what I’ve read. People are losing their homes with no hope of rebuilding. Sure wouldn’t want to be grappling with my property insurer – especially not now, especially not in CA! 🤷♀️
Ok
I live on the Central Coast here in CA. These idiots do NOT maintain anything. Ergo, the collapse of the wharf. Leave it to the Gubmint to handle things and this is what we get. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
Neglected maintenance, and possibly a poor design to begin with. A reminder of the relentless wearing and corrosion by the ocean – do you suppose the advocates of offshore wave power are taking notes?
Symptoms of increasing incompetence and corruption overtaking the former Republic, as it declines.
Be wary of institutions, leadership, and infrastructure. (And flying things. And things pharma and doctors want to do to you for profit – “a patient cured is a patient lost”.)
I bet the California Coastal Commission is excited for the opportunity to refuse a rebuild.
Aging structure? Come on man – it’s global warming.
What scared me the most was the guy on the left taking 4-6 sort of hopping steps and then get onto the rescue ski-doo !
Even if it looked solid underneath (it didn’t to me) what is to stop it from falling apart with the extra weight on top ?
I’m no engineer . I’m just saying that guy’s actions getting on the rescue vehicle made me gasp .
Rand Paul’s Festivus Report for 2024 is out. If you think we should be funding infrastructure, just wait until you see what we are funding!!
Obviously the damage to the warf was caused by Catastrophic Anthropogenic Global Warming. The solution to this problem is:
/sarc
Don’t forget to hire more Democraps too.
Friend of mine just North of there but still on the coast. 20 foot waves.
Guaranteed some purple haired surfers, are stoned immaculate, legs furiously pumping.
Ride, ride, ride, the wild surf.
In my more mobile days…
You haven’t experienced life until you surf and jump the 35 foot waves on the 3rd reef off of Steamers Lane on a SeaDoo!
Oh the Santa Cruz folks loved hearing that 2 stroke slamming into the rev limiter!
It’s illegal now.
Spent my summers as a child in Capitola and Santa Cruz. My parents would let us kids run all over the Boardwalk – Alone! Both places were safe and wonderful places to bring children. Alas, no more – I wouldn’t let my 31-year old son walk the Boardwalk alone now. Capitola did well – lots of very rich, elite high-tech residents who drove the prices up on the homes there. My grandparents’ old home on Central Avenue in Capitola is a Sears-Roebuck catalog home that was erected on Central Avenue in the very early 1900’s. Sold for $12, 000 in 1979 and is now worth about $2 million – 3 beds – one bath – very small. Alas, poor Santa Cruz is full of druggies, homeless, illegal aliens and criminals and of course the University of California at Santa Cruz houses Angela Davis. Matter of fact Santa Cruz thinks that Berkeley is too far right. The worst part of Santa Cruz – all the Satanic cults….. Everything Libs touch turns to ……. fill in the blanks.
Really? I believe you. But I will call my household operate businneses on the Boardwalk. The Whitings Family. Gracias fir the information.
My family also operated a business on the Capitola beachfront many years ago – the late 1960’s to the 1980’s. Santa Cruz is a mecca for all kinds of cults including satanic…
Santa Cruz is a dump. Big time..
Santa Cruz to Santa Crud! Thank you far left!
In many cases a lot of these natural disasters can be avoided with a proactive effort on behalf of our various local, state and federal government agencies. Unfortunately this is not the case. They have become less than efficient at anything other than waste fraud and corruption. When they do react it is mostly aftermath, to late, to little and grossly inefficient.
When I lived in SF in the 1970’s I used to drive down the Pacific Coast Highway to Santa Cruz and have lunch at the Dolphin. Great memories. Now I wouldn’t go to the Bay Area on a bet.
It’s still beautiful. But you definitely have to look past the homeless to appreciate it.
Reminds me of the Lake Walk the City of Duluth , Minnesota built on Lake Superior. The first Nor Easter, like the one that sank the Edmund Fitzgerald, It washed away. The Leftest policies in Duluth had them doubling down on rebuilding it and another storm damage what little progress they made. They are still building at the tax payers expense.
The titanic should have stayed afloat as long. And yeah it was chilly, but again, not exactly cold enough to sustain icebergs. Finally, 2 engineers and their PM, all knowing what they were dealing with, and access to a boat, it could have been worse. Thanks for showing Fate’s hand hopefully continuing to become more and more kind.
I hope they were able to save the skid steer.
Little Berkeley Wharf toppled by Trump Derangement Syndrome!
Liberal tears from the campus on the hill flooded all of the downtown today.
It is rumored that the dam erected last month at the campus entrance to contain liberal tears exceeded its design capacity and catastrophically failed today.
Little Berkeley’s storm drains were overwhelmed by tears laden with nasty automobile and homeless encampment waste that like totally ignored the “drains to the bay” signage on the storm drains!
The flooding today at 12:45PM, overwhelmed the historic structure.
Years of communist rule contributed to the decline.
Rotten Ronnie Rotkin, UCSF communist studies professor and many time former mayor had no comment regarding the rotkin pier.
Gotta give props to the rescue team on Jet Skis – they really seem to have their act together.
– the strength of man –
They are stationed about 100 yards away and had been out watching the surfers at Steamers, so it was a 30 second sprint.
No worries. Bidens corps of Gaza dock engineers will have a temp up in no time.
I remember earlier this yr when waves took part of the Pier and closed the Cafe. Thats just super scary for me
If only the governor’s and former speaker’s places would do the same.
Newsome and his liberal policies has slowly eroded the infrastructure of California. Local elected officials mimic his governing style and spend spend spend on useless programs while the foundations rot away.