Santa Cruz Wharf Collapses Amid Major Swell

Santa Cruz is grappling with severe storm damage after a massive swell event caused the partial collapse of the Municipal Wharf and inflicted over $20 million in damages to the Santa Cruz Harbor. City officials are collaborating with state and federal agencies to remove debris and assess structural safety, with particular attention to the heavy equipment that fell into the water. The National Weather Service reported waves peaking at 30 feet, marking the largest swell event in 30 years, which resulted in significant damage to docks, infrastructure, and vessels. Harbor officials are focused on clearing marine debris and expect further damage to be revealed during assessments. Residents living on boats in the harbor are currently displaced due to unsafe conditions, with repairs and restoration efforts still underway. Santa Cruz Harbor's port director emphasized the importance of ensuring safety before any reopening can occur.