SANTA CRUZ — Three workers inspecting the Santa Cruz Wharf fell into the choppy ocean waves and had to be rescued after part of the structure collapsed Monday, said city officials who fear the next storm could cause more damage. Two of the victims were rescued from the waters by lifeguards and a third self-rescued, officials said. A Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf restroom continues to be battered by waves Monday afternoon as it is carried toward Seabright State Beach. (Shmuel Thaler – Santa Cruz Sentinel) The collapse occurred around 12:44 p.m. as the end of the wharf was barraged by powerful west swells, officials said at an afternoon press conference. About 150 feet of the wharf, which included The Dolphin Restaurant and a restroom, broke off and fell into the water. Mayor Fred Keeley, who toured the wharf with police, fire and public works officials on Monday, said he is “very concerned” that more of the structure will collapse with the next incoming storm. RELATED: Person dies after being trapped by debris at Santa Cruz County beach “What we saw this morning is likely to be not as intense as what we may see later today or potentially early tomorrow,” Keeley said. “That was what I was told repeatedly by a number of folks who are out there on the scene who have a very good feel for the ocean and the tides and so on.” RELATED: Big waves slam Southern California beaches, more massive surf on the way The project manager and two contractors had been out inspecting the end of the wharf at the time of the collapse and fell into the waters below. All three were uninjured or suffered only minor injuries, but were taken to the hospital to be checked as a precaution, officials said. That part of the wharf was not open to the public Monday. A Santa Cruz Police Department drone assessed the damage and confirmed that there were no other victims in the water, according to the press release. Drone footage posted online showed debris floating on waves beneath gray, cloudy skies. A rescue swimmer leapt from the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf as first responders made sure there were not people unaccounted for after the wharf collapse. (Shmuel Thaler – Santa Cruz Sentinel) The area that collapsed has been closed for repairs and construction due to damage caused by a storm in December 2023. The Dolphin Restaurant, which was built in the 1960s, had to be demolished in October to make room to repair missing and damaged pilings. The construction was tentatively slated to be completed in March 2025. At Monday’s press conference, Mayor Keeley said the removal of The Dolphin Restaurant and asphalt made the structure lighter where the ocean beneath is at its “deepest” and “most aggressive” part. The rest of the wharf still has its pilings, cross pieces and asphalt — enough “weight to keep the wharf in place,” he added. “Perhaps the rest of the wharf may do better, but we are thinking that we could, in fact, sustain great damage,” Keeley said. City officials had discussed closing the wharf due to the conditions earlier in the day, officials said, but added that doing so is no small feat because of the number of small businesses that operate there. Under the supervision of the city’s engineering team and wharf team, the decision was made to allow the wharf to remain open with constant monitoring. Spectators watch as a wharf restroom nears Seabright State Beach on Monday. (Shmuel Thaler – Santa Cruz Sentinel) The wharf was closed as of 1 p.m. and will remain closed until further notice, city officials said. Traffic was blocked off for all except emergency personnel. “I had to see this. This is major news,” said Dianne Avery, a Seabright resident who went to see the damage. “This never happens this bad, and it’s getting worse.” City officials have also asked residents to avoid low-lying areas due to debris and a high surf advisory. They especially advised avoiding beaches and all coastal areas, including jetties, cliffs and overlooks, because large waves can “sweep across entire beaches unexpectedly,” according to a press release. Dangerous conditions are expected to remain until noon Tuesday. Monday’s strong surf arrived ahead of a storm heading to the Bay Area that is expected to bring showers and thunder on Monday night and Tuesday, said National Weather Service meteorologist Lamont Bain. Waves along the coast could reach as high as 40 to 60 feet in some places, bringing “very hazardous” marine conditions as well as the potential for coastal flooding, he added. “They’re extremely hazardous and actually essentially life-threatening,” Bain said. Lifeguards search through debris to make sure there was no one in the water. (Shmuel Thaler – Santa Cruz Sentinel) Julianne Pagan, a resident of Fremont who was house-sitting in Santa Cruz, noted the powerful waves roiling beneath her when she took her daily walk on the wharf on Sunday. Related Articles Weather | Person dies after being trapped by debris at Santa Cruz County beach Weather | Once cold and lonely, ‘snow management’ at Tahoe resorts goes high-tech with lasers Weather | Storm Darragh batters UK and Ireland, leaving 1 dead and hundreds of thousands without power Weather | Red flag warning issued for Southern California, with strong winds, fire dangers foreseen Weather | What to expect as La Niña emerges in Southern California “Every time I walk on a boardwalk, I think, ‘What if it falls?’” she said. “Isn’t it amazing what Mother Nature can do? You think she’s strong, but she takes over.” Teddie Braud, a resident of Sausalito who was in Santa Cruz to surf, was at Las Palmas Taco Bar eating a taco around 1 p.m. when he heard large police and first responder presence approaching the wharf. “It was like total mayhem,” he said, noting that the waves were too big to surf throughout the area. “Everywhere is too big.” Santa Cruz Main Beach and Cowell’s Beach remained closed due to hazardous debris. “We’re taking this a step at a time right now,” Mayor Keeley said. “Right here, right now, at this moment, we’re trying to secure our wharf.”