Instead of panicking, Thomae remained . Newsom, during a press conference Tuesday in Capitola, said he was quickly and easily able to secure a presidential emergency declaration this month that unlocked emergency response assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. As many piers or storms that we have, its inevitable that the people here in Santa Cruz County are going to come together and be together in order for all of us to stand together. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasnt followed: What should you do? The shark was reportedly about 8 or 9 feet long, and was spotted swimming around the cement boat at Seacliff State Beach. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. APTOS, Calif. Great white sharks have returned to 'shark park' located off of New Brighton, Seacliff and Manresa State Park Beaches in the Monterey Bay. The pier here at seacliff state beach was all but destroyed during last months storms. Three Bay Area men, including justice reform activist, plead guilty in Norteo RICO murder case, Californias hardest to book campground isnt in a famous park. (Shmuel Thaler -- Santa Cruz Sentinel), California State Parks-Santa Cruz District Superintendent Chris Spohrer on Friday leads Second District Supervisor Zach Friend, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, State Sen. John Laird and others on a tour of storm damage at Seacliff State Beach. Longtime Aptos resident Ron Perez was picking up debris on the beach with his daughter Natalie. The ship is unsafe and closed to the public and half of the pier remains closed until needed repairs can be made. Weather | 2 seed. For Perez, the pier is a comforting symbol of home and is sad to see it go, but glad he could say a final farewell. I think thats important and thats why Im out here today.. Hundreds clean up Seacliff Beach and say, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). The remainder of the pier is splintered, teetering above piles of debris that were pushed ashore by violent swells, according to the nonprofit. Morning Weather Forecast The SS Palo Alto, better known as the Cement Ship, remained anchored to the ocean floor Friday while the pier once connecting to the vessel was missing more than half its length with about 250 feet gone and showed signs of continuing collapse, Spohrer said. Related Articles Seacliff State Beach in the coastal Santa Cruz County community of Aptos will be the site of a cleanup event next week after being battered so badly by winter storms that President Joe Biden. Seacliff Beach. Weather | I hope they build another one because piers are cool.. We just dont have all the info from our assessment." Contests and Promotions, Classroom Makeover Help a Monterey County School Teacher Get Needed Supplies, MGM Resorts sells land on Las Vegas Strip where 2017 mass shooting took place. Among the hundreds of volunteers scouring the sand for debris between pieces and pillars of driftwood was Rep. Jimmy Panetta. Santa Cruz County beachgoers love the landmark and the famous "cement ship" it leads to, the SS Palo Alto. Nearby . "He loved the ocean. We lost all utilities, we lost all the underground stuff. BeachSearcher!Seacliff Beach 12 Theres so many memories there, and you know, every week we would come down and see people and its become a real community on that pier. Officials also said the parks campground area suffered widespread devastation and will remain closed for the rest of the year. For more than 80 years, beachfront camping, picnicking, fishing, and interpretive walks have been among the park's most popular activities. Seacliff State Beach is a sandy beach that connects with New Brighton Beach to the north and Rio Del Mar Beach to the south; all are noted beaches from which to catch surfperch. Following a path through Santa Cruz County similar to that of California Gov. Weve had way more folks show up than we expected. The hat doesnt look anything like this anymore, said Stuart as he looked out to the broken and sagging pier. And of course, bring your camera. Campsites 1-26 are full hookup sites right along the beach. The ship has come unmoored from the pier before, in the aggressive storms in January 2017 attributed to El Nio but never quite like this. Were not even there right now. Capitola officials share wharf rebuild plans. A recovery fund is under way for Seacliff State Beach, an iconic stretch in Santa Cruz County, after a series of storms devastated the area. For information and updates, visit parks.ca.gov. Seacliff State Beach is a long sandy beach on the waterfront of Aptos, CA. Video shows sharks swimming near Seacliff State Beach TheJaimeRose APTOS, Calif. (KION) Video shared on YouTube shows what appears to be Great White sharks gathering off the coast of Aptos. Shooting in Oakland hotel parking lot puts man in critical condition, Tech, restaurant, logistics layoffs trigger more than 300 Bay Area job cuts, Super sandwiches: 16 of the Bay Areas best sandos to try right now, Skygazers will have a great view Wednesday of two planets that look like they are almost touching, Antioch: Teen shot during robbery attempt, police say, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, As many as 700,000 Illinois residents could lose Medicaid health coverage this year, Balloon ban made official in Laguna Beach, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. (Shmuel Thaler -- Santa Cruz Sentinel), Work continues Friday to shore up areas at Seacliff State Beach against further damage. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. APTOS, Calif. (KION) Video shared on YouTube shows what appears to be Great White sharks gathering off the coast of Aptos. While it would occasionally be closed to visitors and campers in the fall and winter seasons due to the forecast, the combination of strength and speed of last weeks atmospheric river storm was unprecedented, to say the least. Earlier Friday, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel) had co-authored with fellow Democrat U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, signed by the entire California delegation, a bipartisan letter urging President Joe Biden to issue an expedited statewide major disaster declaration, in response to recent severe weather impacts. 15 Reedley 73-33 in the first round of . Rebuild the former Watsonville wharf, which stood at the foot of East Lake Street before collapsing in a storm. The two have been coming to the beach for an annual family reunion every August for about 40 years. penguins, sharks, jellyfish, and all manner of marine life. Thankfully . IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California has not followed: What should you do? Eric Brooks is a multimedia journalist with over a decade of experience in radio and digital storytelling. Shark sightings in Aptos are apparently fairly common between October and February, with several sightings reported in the news media over recent years. Gabriela Gonzalez, an intern for Save Our Shores, spoke to her fond memories of coming to the beach with her family since she was a child. Editorial | What will future hold for a 'reimagined' Seacliff State Beach? People have enjoyed sun and surf there since as far back as the 1920s, when wealthy tourists enjoyed upscale camping facilities and built summer homes on the bluffs. The Good: *It's a beach! " in 18 reviews. ". Thankfully federal disaster funding is on its way. Mudslides, threat of wet vintage wont dampen winemakers delight in record rainfall At the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, you will find a palate-dazzling smorgasbord of cuisines and cocktails in which to indulge. Santa Cruz County supervisors reject Andy Schiffrin Planning Commission nomination, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, As many as 700,000 Illinois residents could lose Medicaid health coverage this year, Balloon ban made official in Laguna Beach, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Compare now on BedroomVillas Jessica A. York covers Santa Cruz County public safety, courts and homelessness for the Sentinel. Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, a nonprofit that . What we saw on the fifth of January was an extreme overtopping event that tore out the seawall, that tore out the campground. We used to race on the pier and I learned to roller skate here, said Gonzalez. For those interested in helping in recovery efforts, the Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks has established the Seacliff State Beach Recovery Fund. To donate for local efforts, visit thatsmypark.org or send a check to Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, with a memo For Seacliff, at 1543 Pacific Ave., Suite 206, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Pablo Sandoval 2010 Bobblehead. Its definitely sentimental and I have lots of fond memories with my family and friends.. Stuart said that he has an old hat with the image of the SS Palo Alto and the pier, which hes sad to see demolished. Seacliff is known for its giant large fishing pier and, more infamously, the capsized concrete WWI-era ship, the USS Palo Alto, that lays adjacent to it. / CBS/Bay City News Service. Capitola officials share $3.4 million wharf rebuild plans The Cardinals routed No. Seacliff State Beach's pier in Santa Cruz County, however, was no match for a series of storms that pounded the state and left it in ruins, McClatchy News reported. He was out past the cement ship when one young shark, 11 to 12 feet long, swam about five feet from his board "40 years in the ocean and I've never seen anything like it," he wrote on NextDoor, prompting a flurry of comments. Among all the painful surprises this winter has brought - Highway 17 closed by snow and falling trees! Wet weather across Bay Area expected to continue through Tuesday night as temperatures drop The accompanying underground facilities and pavement were swept out to sea. No tent camping is available. "I dont think there was a park that didnt incur some sort of damage," McKenna said, referring to Santa Cruz County and San Mateo County. Powerful storm waves roll into Seacliff State Beach in January between the Cement Ship and the heavily damaged pier. The bench survived but her family's concern deepened when they heard the news of the scheduled demolition of the pier. Im sorry to see the pier go, but Mother Nature takes its piece out of everything. Known for its winding staircase and a cement ship at the end of the beach's fishing pier, Seacliff suffered extensive damage earlier this month when enormous swells pummeled the beach during a heavy winter storm. "The day-use area was similar. Another great stop is at Taste of Monterey-Cannery Row, a . Its too early in this process. We do not accept anonymous letters. According to Frank Perry, "Fossils of at least 20 species of sharks and rays are present, as are remains of bony fishes, marine mammals such as sea cows and sea lions, and invertebrates including mollusks and sand dollars." . Once debris has been removed from the beach and permits are in place, Granite will begin demolishing accessible portions. He was glad to see so many people helping out. The "storms destroyed over . Work to catalog the widespread destruction includes parks and campgrounds. The popular Seacliff State Beach campground has been closed through February because of storm damage. And others would be fish off the pier. Burgess said the pier demolition is one piece of a larger multipronged contract State Parks is putting together with Granite Construction and issues such as crew availability still need to be ironed out. Ive got pictures and posters of the pier in my home and its been a calming force for the area through thick and thin, its been there forever. The cleanup effort was organized and facilitated by Friends of California State Parks and Save Our Shores. Where: Meet at the upper Seacliff State Beach parking lot at noon. I do my own share of picking up trash, but Ive never had hundreds of people helping me, said Hosmer. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here. Find Vacation Rentals, Condos, and Resorts in Aptos, California, USA. Both Addis and Laird said they felt it was important not to forget the human suffering element of the recent storms. We just have damage everywhere.". We had initially targeted a February date because the engineers report has said it is at risk of collapse, said Jordan Burgess, State Parks deputy superintendent for the Santa Cruz district. The weather caused millions of. Seacliff State Beach has it all with a popular swimming beach, shaded picnic areas, an oceanfront campground for RVs, and a huge fishing pier to explore. Seacliff State Beach Apparel, books, educational toys and more that celebrate the beach, Great White Sharks, fossils, ocean creatures, and everything we love about Seacliff. Submit your letters online at www.santacruzsentinel.com/submit-letters. According to a release from California State Parks, demolition work on the pier will commence this week. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The herculean task of damage assessment is ongoing, even as rains continue to pound California. Amongst all of our offices, weve been in assessment mode, Addis said. "The damage from this past January was pretty immense. Hundreds clean up Seacliff Beach and say farewell to pier. Later, half of the pier and the historic ship were closed to the public a state they remained in prior to last weeks historic storm. "I dont have a crystal ball," he continued. Shark sightings in Aptos are apparently fairly common between October and February, with several sightings reported in the news media over recent years. The fact that pier is going to be going is sad, but it feels really festive here today, said Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks Executive Director Bonny Hawley. The picnic area, bathrooms and seawall were also badly damaged during the storms. I remember my uncle had a slingshot and he would launch water balloons. The popular pier there is on its last legs. We just dont know yet. Daily News Update Write a review. wooden stand crossword clue. They say what was left standing is at risk of collapse. Were very sad to see it go, Save Our Shores Sanctuary Steward Tonia Maclean. Destroyed wooden tables fill a picnic area at Seacliff State Beach on Friday as California State Parks-Santa Cruz District Superintendent Chris Spohrer leads a tour of storm damage at the. Albert Einstein said, In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.. The person who posted the video, TheJaimeRose, said the video was taken near Seacliff State Beach. Soon, were going to need to get in recovery mode and thats where FEMA is going to come in and much of the federal help that the Congressman is talking about. The nonprofit said that the seawall that was in front of the seawall was destroyed and estimates that it would cost over $30 million to rebuild the pier and the seawall. The beloved pier must come down. *Dog-friendly *woof* *Covered BBQ/Picnic area *Restrooms w/ sand wash station *Fishing from the pier (no license required) *Huge multi-level parking area "Other families have gravesites, we have a bench. So this is a very meaningful park and were going to try to do everything we can to maintain that into the future, but this park is going to look different in the future. - none has brought as much attention and sorrow as the . People. What is left of it will be removed by the end of the month. Seacliff State Beach has been beloved for generations, said California State Parks District Superintendent Chris Spohrer in the release. Park rangers acknowledge that over the decades generations of visitors to the coast have formed a deep attachment to the pier. The California Department of Parks recently announced it is planning to demolish the beloved and iconic pier at Seacliff State Park. February 26, 2023 at 3:44 p.m. Seacliff State Beach (field trips, exhibits, etc) Have a question? Half of the pier that once stretched out to the iconic cement ship has fallen into the ocean. (Shmuel Thaler -- Santa Cruz Sentinel). Is the vulgar anti-Tesla sign on my neighbors truck illegal? Southern Californias mountain towns remain buried under snow with more on the way Just a short 200 yards downcoast from Seacliff, across Aptos Creek and past the Esplanade parking lot, a development of homes on the beach begins that extends a little over a mile along the shoreline. 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