Santa Cruz city officials are keeping climate change in mind as they plan repairs to the Santa Cruz Wharf after pounding surf collapsed a section of the popular tourist attraction.

Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley reiterated in a news conference that in the coming days, the city’s focus will remain on the immediate response and cleanup effort. However, he added, the city

The three people were inspecting the wharf when it partially collapsed in strong waves. None were seriously harmed.

A part of the Santa Cruz Wharf collapsed Monday afternoon during a high-surf warning, with authorities confirming two people had to be pulled from the water.

Kevin Ko reports on how Santa Cruz officials are trying to address storm damage that collapsed a section of the pier and sunk multiple boats in the Santa Cruz Harbor.

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.

Work to repair last year’s storm damage to the Santa Cruz wharf likely contributed to its partial collapse, raising questions about the pier’s future as climate change fuels more powerful waves.

Here's why a retired supervisor of the Santa Cruz Wharf believes its collapse could have been prevented years ago.