SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KGO) — The community still in shock as the iconic coastline in Santa Cruz is filled with dangerous debris, just 24 hours since a portion of the Santa Cruz wharf crashed into the ocean.
The work is all part of tough decisions city officials have to make for the long-term of the Santa Cruz landmark.
RELATED: 3 fall into ocean after Santa Cruz Wharf collapses due to strong waves ahead of storm The high surf Monday sent danger throughout Santa Cruz waterways, including the city’s harbor, but it’s what the high surf did at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf that’s captured nationwide attention.
Businesses on Santa Cruz Wharf brace for indefinite closures after pier collapse Businesses on Santa Cruz Wharf brace for indefinite closures after pier collapse Gino Marini owns Marini’s Candies.
MORE: Man dies after large wave traps him under debris at Santa Cruz Co. beach Marini’s wife Jenny saw the aftermath of the collapse.
California’s Santa Cruz. (KGO) — The community is still in disbelief after a section of the Santa Cruz wharf collapsed into the ocean, leaving the famous Santa Cruz coastline covered in hazardous debris just 24 hours later.
Officials provided an update on Tuesday, stating that they are evaluating the structural integrity of the remaining portion of the wharf in order to develop a plan for the future.
The work is all a part of the difficult choices that city officials must make regarding the Santa Cruz landmark’s long-term viability.
Ahead of a storm, Santa Cruz Wharf collapses due to powerful waves, causing three people to fall into the ocean.
Although Monday’s high surf put Santa Cruz’s harbor and other waterways in danger, the action at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is what has drawn national attention. 150 feet of the Wharf’s end fell into the sea.
Due to storm damage from previous years, the collapsed area had already been closed for construction.
Mike Godsy, the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Parks Supervisor, stated, “We had two project managers inspecting that space really for work progress and also for incident reporting when the wharf went down.”.
Two individuals were rescued after three people fell into the water, and one person managed to escape on their own.
For years, a bathroom that had been on the wharf was washed away and relocated to a location far from its original location.
It’s unbelievable just to see a toilet, the restroom by the river mouth. “I’m in shock,” local Matt Garlock remarked.
The trash in the water, including the restroom building that is now leaning against a cliff close to Seabright Beach, is a major worry for officials.
The Santa Cruz Fire Department’s Ryan Reber stated, “We’re following our coastal incident response plan right now to establish a plan moving forward for cleanup, and we’re asking the public to just please do not try to go in the water and grab any of the debris.”.
Authorities are also considering how to proceed and safeguard the region from the increasing effects of climate change.
Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley asked during a roundtable meeting on Tuesday, “What happens when you are a jurisdiction on the edge of the continent in a world of climate change?” “Do you just say ‘That was that and we’re going to put everything back and see how it goes?’ I’m not as sanguine about that.”. In other words, I believe that we must understand what we are going to do and take some time away from the pressure of the moment. “..”.
MORE: According to reports, an EF1 tornado in Scotts Valley caused “extensive” property damage and five injuries.
On Tuesday, Congressperson Jimmy Panetta toured the damage and hinted that federal assistance might be on the way.
He stated, “It is my responsibility to make sure that we pull all the strings in terms of our federal resources and bureaucracy to ensure that the wharf is repaired and we move on in a resilient fashion.”.
In the short term, wharf residents and businesses express concern for those who depend on the wharf for their livelihood.
“You know, a city landmark, the restaurants down there, and their staff.”. What will happen next to ensure that is safe and that the Wharf remains what we all know and love?” asked Stacy Levesque, manager of Ideal Bar and Grill.
For a better understanding of its structural integrity, the city is collaborating with engineers to gather data over the next few days. As of right now, they insist that the Wharf is permanently closed.
Following the collapse of the pier, businesses on Santa Cruz Wharf are preparing to close permanently.
Businesses at Santa Cruz Wharf anticipate being closed indefinitely due to the collapse of the pier.
Among Marini’s Candies is Gino Marini. Despite avoiding damage, it is one of a dozen businesses on the wharf that will now have to close permanently.
It’s one of the busiest days of the year, so we were open. “There were many people in the store,” Marini remarked.
When a section of the pier collapsed, Marini was at Costco. As for his daughter and wife.
Marini explained, “They went to Stagneros to get some fish for dinner tonight while they were in the store.”.
MORE: At Santa Cruz Co., a man perishes after being buried beneath debris by a huge wave. the beach.
Jenny, Marini’s spouse, witnessed the ruins of the collapse.
A large portion of the wharf that had just broken off is visible as she turns and pulls out her camera. It simply floats away. “It was insane,” Marini remarked.
Previous storm damage had prevented construction on the portion of the pier that fell into the ocean.
There was a lot of asphalt removed from that area down there. They were attempting to tighten the pilons down there, which caused them to become a bit loose, and the entire area was fenced off,” Marini said.
Marini was permitted to return for a brief period on Tuesday morning to pick up supplies along with other business owners. According to Marini, it will be painful to lose days or even weeks of work.
“We have a big week down there from this week to next week. For all the other businesses down there as well as for us, it’s devastating,” Marini said.
On the pier, Venture Quest Kayaking is owned by Dave Johnston. The season has ended for his kayak rental business.
Johnston claims that during the last two to three years, significant storms have harmed the local roads and wharf.
“The sea is getting higher. Storms are known to be more powerful. “That’s climate change,” Johnston stated.
The partial collapse of the pier is devastating, according to Johnston.
It’s really depressing and serious. Johnston expressed his hope that the wharf would be able to continue its legacy as the hub of our community and our primary destination after the repairs were completed.
“Hopefully they can finish this and we can proceed as quickly as possible,” Marini stated.
