Live Updates: Evacuation warnings lifted for parts of Santa Cruz County

ABC7 Bay Area Digital Staff Image
Friday, December 29, 2023
Capitola businesses pummeled by storm but hopeful for NYE weekend
Some Capitola businesses pummeled by the high surf on Thursday but owners say the damage is nowhere near what it was earlier this year.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Flooding and evacuation warnings are being put into effect around Northern California as dangerous waves hit the coastline Thursday morning.



Live Updates: High surf to continue impacting coastline as heavy rain comes Friday afternoon



The National Weather Service earlier issued a Coastal Flood Advisory for the Coastal North Bay through 3 a.m. Friday.



The NWS also issued a High Surf Warning for the Central and Northern California coastline that is in effect until 3 a.m. Friday.





TIMELINE: Dangerous waves hit the coast before a level 2 moderate storm Friday



5:30 p.m.: Evacuation orders lifted in Stinson Beach after storm surge flooding


It was a stressful Thursday for Stinson Beach residents where storm surge brought high waves and flooding; it prompted an evacuation order for the most of the day.

In the North Bay, it was a stressful Thursday for residents of Stinson Beach where storm surge brought high waves and flooding; it prompted an evacuation order for the most of the day.



High surf was crashing into a Stinson Beach neighborhood Thursday, filling streets with sea water in a matter of minutes.



"Right now, we're just trying to keep the houses from flooding," said Stinson Beach Fire volunteer John Hyland.



The storm surge enveloped most of the beach, coming dangerously close to homes. About a half dozen streets were flooded. The situation quickly sounded the call for sandbags. Members of Marin County's Search and Rescue team were filling them as fast as they could, a front loader delivered the bags to beach berms to try and keep the water out.



An evacuation order was issued about 9:40a a.m.



"We're asking everyone to get out, our objective is life, property and environment in that order, our main goal is making sure everyone is out of their safely," said Chief Jesse Peri from Stinson Beach Fire Protection District.



"We're just trying to barricade our house to make sure we're in better hands than last year," said Bella Bon from Stinson Beach.



Evacuation orders were lifted about 3 p.m. and no major damage was reported.



3:35 p.m. Evacuation warnings lifted for parts of Santa Cruz Co.


Santa Cruz County officials have lifted evacuation warnings for all impacted areas. Those include: CTL-E048, CRZ-E070, CTL-E027A, CTL-E027B.



Officials are warning residents to prepare for more rain on Friday and another coastal wave event that is expected early Saturday.





3:30 p.m.: High surf damages Capitola Village less than a year after historic storms


Massive waves have swamped roads and businesses in Santa Cruz County's Capitola Village. The flooding comes less than a year after storm surf caused major damage in the area.



Jeff Lantis is nearly back to square one at his Capitola business, the Sand Bar. It was devastated back by January's high surf, forcing it to close for six months. Now Thursday, much of the repairs made by Lantis have been undone.



"Our floor is ruined, it'll take at least a month to repair I would think," Lantis said.



"We're seeing widespread coastal impacts from high tides and extraordinary waves coming into low lying areas of the coasts," said county spokesperson Jason Hoppin.



Those lower lying areas included Rio Del Mar Beach and Seacliff State Beach. In less than 24 hours, the area was flooded with debris from high waves that came and went.



The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office warning people enamored by the beauty of the waves, that they could be deadly.



"With the waves being so powerful. If you turn your back for even a split second, you can be knocked over, swept away," said Sheriff's spokesperson Ashley Keehn.



Despite dealing with hit after hit to his business, Lantis says he loves his location and has no plans to leave.



By the evening, city workers and business owners were busy trying to get the area dry.



Charles Maier, owner of Paradise Beach Grille off Esplanade said his staff were cleaning up from water and sand.



Businesses in Capitola Village said the damage is nowhere near what it was earlier this year.



"No, not even close to what happened earlier this year so it was a bummer today, but it wasn't quite what it was last year so we're thankful for that," Maier said.



City workers were inspecting restaurants and other businesses along Esplanade for safety.



We saw a couple places yellow-tagged for restricted use, but the majority were deemed safe.



At Paradise Beach Grille, Maier said they plan to be open on Friday.



This holiday weekend for the charming beach town will be a big one.



"This last kind of the two week period is kind of the sunny spot in the winter for restaurants and retailers so we're hoping to get some people down here," Maier said.



Officials are warning residents to prepare for more rain on Friday and another coastal wave event that is expected early Saturday.



2 p.m.: Evacuation order, warning lifted for Marin County residents near Stinson Beach


Stinson Beach fire officials have lifted the evacuation order and warning for the areas of Calles Pinos, Pradero, Sierra, Onda Resaca, Ribera, and Embarcadero, as well as sections of Calle Del Arroyo.



They have deemed the area safe for those to return to their home.





1:30 p.m.: Evacuation warnings extended to Capitola Village


Evacuation warnings were extended to Capitola Village on Thursday afternoon amid a high surf warning that is causing flooding in multiple coastal areas of Santa Cruz County.



A temporary evacuation point for evacuees has been established at New Brighton Middle School at 250 Washburn Ave. in Capitola.



Residents in the areas of Pajaro Dunes, Seacliff State Beach and Rio Del Mar were also under evacuation warnings Thursday morning due to flooding from high tides and large waves.



Evacuation zones CTL-E027A, CTL-E048, and CRZ-E070 were under evacuation warnings as of 1 p.m. Evacuation zones can be found at community.zonehaven.com.



The evacuation center is also open to anyone who feels unsafe and wants to leave their homes preemptively. Water and power are available at the school.



The National Weather Service has issued a High Surf Warning for the Central and Northern California coastline that is in effect until 3 a.m. Friday. Waves of 28-33 feet, and as high as 40 feet, are forecast.



The public was advised to avoid coastal areas during the advisory.



11 a.m.: Evacuation warning issued for coastal areas of Santa Cruz Co.


An evacuation warning has been issued for a coastal area of Santa Cruz County near Seacliff State Beach on Thursday morning, county officials said.



The evacuation warning was issued for zone CTL-E048 because of large breaking waves and high tides causing safety threats along the coast.



Santa Cruz County has also extended the evacuation warning to the Pajaro Dunes area.



Residents can see if their zone is under a warning or evacuation order here.



Rio Del Mar Esplanade in Santa Cruz County flooded on Thursday, December 28, 2023.
Rio Del Mar Esplanade in Santa Cruz County flooded on Thursday, December 28, 2023.
Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County officials earlier Thursday advised residents to avoid various coastal areas, saying there is flooding along East Cliff Drive as well as the Rio Del Mar Esplanade.



A big log also has blocked the roadway at Moran Lake, according to the California Highway Patrol.



10:15 a.m.: Evacuation order issued for Marin County residents near Stinson Beach


Marin County residents have been ordered to evacuate Thursday due to possible flooding at Stinson Beach after forecasters said there will be severe weather conditions in North Bay areas.



Stinson Beach Fire issued the evacuation order for the areas of Calles Pinos, Pradero, Sierra, Onda Resaca, Ribera, and Embarcadero, as well as sections of Calle Del Arroyo.



The Marin County Sheriff's Office advised community members to stay alert as high surf and storm surges might flood and damage structures at Stinson Beach.



Residents were urged not to wade or drive through flooded areas.



Bay City News contributed to this story.


This story will be updated with new information as it is available.



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