The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Monday afternoon issued an evacuation order for the areas of Rio Del Mar, Beach Drive and Las Olas.
The order came after high tides and large swells slammed the coast, damaging the Santa Cruz wharf.
The County Emergency Operations Center has been activated to monitor further impacts from the storm, including localized flooding and road impacts. Road closures can be monitored at sccroadclosure.org.
For those impacted by the evacuation order and in need of shelter assistance, please contact 800-RED-CROSS.
Santa Cruz County officials are urging everyone to avoid all coastal areas, including overlook areas such as rocks, jetties, or cliffs. Dangerous and powerful waves can sweep across entire beaches unexpectedly.
People should also not enter the water or cross flooded streets.
Monterey County National Weather Service, meanwhile, has issued a High Surf Warning effective immediately until 6pm Tuesday for all beaches and coastline in Monterey County including Monterey Bay, Carmel Bay, and Big Sur Coast.
Life-threatening swimming and surfing conditions and significant shoreline erosion can be expected. Numerous roads may be closed, and sand berms over-topped. Large waves can sweep across the beach without warning, pulling people into the sea from rocks, jetties and beaches.
Sudden immersion in cold water can result in cold water shock even for the most experienced swimmers. Cold water shock can result in dramatic changes in breathing, heart rate and blood pressure, greatly increasing the risk of drowning in rough open waters. For information, visit alertmry.org.
