This handout image taken and released by the City of Santa Cruz shows the collapsed pier at the Santa Cruz Wharf in Santa Cruz, California on December 23, 2024. A pier collapsed into the ocean and floated away off the US state of California on Monday, weather authorities said, as the region was pounded by a powerful storm. Lifeguards rescued two people after the structure in Santa Cruz broke free, firefighters said, while a third person managed to get themselves out of trouble. (Photo by Katherine Lee / City of Santa Cruz / AFP)
A pier collapsed into the ocean and floated away off the US state of California on Monday, weather authorities said, as the region was pounded by a powerful storm.
Lifeguards rescued two people after the structure in Santa Cruz broke free, firefighters said, while a third person managed to get themselves out of trouble.
Article continues after this advertisementVideos posted on social media showed part of the pier adrift in the water as waves lashed the coastline.
FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION Trump vows to ‘stop transgender lunacy’ as top priority GLOBALNATION Emancipation comes for Pampanga farmers (Pampanga Aid) GLOBALNATION Probe finds Trump ally paid for underage sexSanta Cruz resident Joe Merrill, who was working on the pier when it broke apart, told AFP it happened suddenly.
“About 300 to 500 feet (90-150 meters) of the wharf collapsed,” he said.
Article continues after this advertisement“The crane, cargo… all of it just collapsed. Two people went in the water, but they were rescued. We had divers, boats, everything.”
Authorities last month unveiled several stimulus policies – from interest rate cuts to relaxing home-buying rules – after struggling since the end of Covid restrictions to reignite growth and get business activity back on track.
Article continues after this advertisementThe National Weather Service reposted a video of the aftermath, explaining: “A portion of the Santa Cruz Pier has collapsed, and is floating away.
Article continues after this advertisement“Look at the ominous wave action on the horizon. 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 agency said towering waves were expected in the area over the next day.
Article continues after this advertisement“Dangerous and life-threatening beach conditions are forecast with very high surf, rip currents, sneaker waves and coastal flooding through Tuesday for ALL beaches along the Pacific Coast,” a message on X — formerly Twitter — said.
“Very rough seas, breaking waves to 40 feet (12 meters) and extremely dangerous conditions.”
The storm hitting California was expected to bring rain to many areas, even the usually-dry far south around Los Angeles, and snow over the mountains.
It was then expected to move inland.
“A series of Pacific storm systems will cross the Northwest US this week bringing gusty winds, periods of heavy rain and mountain snow,” a forecast said.
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