A powerful storm battered California's central coast on December 19, 2022, bringing with it dangerously high waves reaching up to 60 feet and causing significant destruction. Tragically, the storm proved deadly when it swept one man away at Sunset State Beach, pinning him under debris, and also resulted in the partial collapse of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf.
This fierce storm, described by forecasters as having hurricane-force winds, prompted authorities to issue warnings of hazardous conditions across the Pacific Coast. The storm led to the death of one individual, who was reported to be trapped under debris around 11:30 AM local time at Sunset State Beach, located approximately 75 miles south of San Francisco.
According to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office, first responders worked diligently to pull the man from the water, but he was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The Sheriff's Office did not immediately release his name pending notification of his family. Witnesses described the scene as harrowing, with the man's struggles against the torrent of water clearly visible.
Plummeting waves were not the only concern; around the same time, the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf partially collapsed. Three city workers inspecting the pier were thrown overboard when approximately 150 feet of the structure fell away. Lifeguards quickly reacted to the situation, rescuing two of the men from the waters. The third worker managed to swim to shore independently.
“No serious injuries were reported,” noted Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley, emphasizing the prompt rescue efforts and the relative safety of the individuals involved. Nonetheless, this incident underscored the imminent threats posed by the storm, with debris floating and creating navigational hazards near the pier.
The collapsed section of the wharf was undergoing renovations costing $4 million at the time, aimed at repairing damage from previous storms. Video footage captured the danger, showing rescuers using jet skis to reach floating debris, where one worker was stranded.
The National Weather Service had been warning of “dangerous and life-threatening beach conditions,” with forecasts predicting strong currents and massive waves up to 60 feet along the coastline. The situation escalated when high surf conditions were accompanied by other reports of rescues along the central coast.
Tuesday saw some dramatic moments as authorities shifted focus to rescues and search operations throughout the storm's rampage. Near Marina State Beach, another tragic incident unfolded as bystanders watched helplessly when high surf likely dragged another man out to sea at about noon. “Bystanders attempted to assist the individual;however, due to extremely large waves and strong currents, their rescue efforts were unsuccessful,” reported the Marina Police Department.
Erratic weather patterns and deteriorated conditions delayed searches for the missing man, with police having to suspend rescue operations due to worsening storms. The public remained on high alert as the likelihood of still higher waves continued throughout the day, leading to evacuation orders for nearby communities.
Across the state, the storm's impact has raised questions about safety preparedness and infrastructure vulnerability. With the Santa Cruz area suffering significant beach erosion and the collapse of the pier added to the list of concerns, residents have begun calling for reviews of disaster protocols.
Authorities issued oceanfront evacuation orders for about three miles of shoreline just south of Santa Cruz, highlighting the storm's reach and severity. High surf warnings remained effective along the Pacific Coast, extending from Washington state down to Southern California.
The storm not only ravaged the California coast but also affected weather patterns across the entire country. Snowstorms along the East Coast highlighted the polarized conditions, as holiday travelers faced turbulent weather and potentially dangerous travel conditions leading up to Christmas.
Looked at from both the local and national perspective, the devastation caused by the storm is not only immediate but raises concern over future incidents. This event has injected urgency to discussions surrounding appropriate infrastructure investments to safeguard coastal communities as climate change continues to amplify the risks from such powerful storms.
