Why did Santa Cruz Wharf collapse?

Three people landed in the water after Santa Cruz Wharf collapsed partially, and a major storm hit California’s central coast on Monday.

A 150-foot portion of the Cruz wharf fell into the water due to the storm, according to Santa Cruz fire confirms to KION, adding that three construction workers fell into the ocean.

Jenny Caye Marini took someone standing on the flotilla of debris in the water. Lifeguards rescued two of the victims and one victim was able to swim ashore.

According to Santa Cruz Fire, no significant injuries were reported while potentially hazardous materials and some of the debris were released during the storm. The incident resulted in shutting down Main and Cowell’s Beach of the city.

According to KION crews, the bathroom structure on the wharf was seen floating up against a cliffside at the eastern edge of the Boardwalk.

The part of the wharf has already closed due to previous storm damage while High Surf and Coastal Flood Warnings remain in effect.

According to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, the storm also killed a man when he fell into debris on a Watsonville beach Monday morning.

The rescuers rescued the unidentified man from the debris and took him to a hospital where doctors declared him dead.

After intensifying from California to the Pacific Northwest, the storm is believed to have brought hurricane-force winds and waves up to 18 meters high.