A powerful storm in California has caused significant damage, including the collapse of a wharf, wrecked boats, and deadly debris. At least one person has died, and three are missing, with dangerous surf conditions and high waves expected to continue.

California residents are being urged to avoid wharves, piers, and other waterside structures as large waves ranging from 20 to 30 feet are expected to strike the northern Pacific coast throughout the rest of the week. The warning comes from the National Weather Service (NWS) after significant damage was reported in Santa Cruz on Monday, where a 150-foot section of a wharf collapsed due to high waves. In addition, storm debris is believed to have caused the death of a man in Santa Cruz County, who was found on a beach in Watsonville.

The Coast Guard in Southern California announced on Thursday morning that it had called off the search for two men who went missing after a fishing trip off Palos Verdes. The wreckage of a boat, which is thought to have been theirs, was found on Tuesday.

The NWS issued a warning to inexperienced swimmers in the Bay Area, urging them to stay out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions that could be life-threatening. The agency emphasized the importance of never turning one's back on the ocean and also issued warnings for high surf and rip currents in the Los Angeles area.

In Santa Cruz, three city workers narrowly escaped injury when a large section of the pier, including a closed restaurant, collapsed and was swept away by high surf on Monday. Fortunately, the workers only sustained minor injuries. Meanwhile, around 20 miles south at Sunset State Beach, California State Parks and fire crews responded to a report of a man trapped under debris around 11:30 a.m. Monday. The man was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Later that day, around noon, police responded to Marina State Beach after receiving reports of an adult male who had been overtaken by high surf and swept into the water. Bystanders attempted to rescue the man, but the powerful waves and strong currents prevented them. As of Tuesday, the man remained missing.

Santa Cruz resident Bud Freitas described the devastation caused by the waves, telling the Los Angeles Times, “It’s total chaos. I just did a drive through the south side of town and the beaches are all tore up. It looks like a bomb went off.”