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.

A winter storm carried off the end of the Santa Cruz wharf two days before Christmas, indefinitely shutting down the tourist attraction that houses 17 stores and restaurants. City records show a successful environmental lawsuit from local residents to block repairs and upgrades to the over 100-year-old,

The famed Santa Cruz Wharf on the California coast will remain indefinitely closed until further notice after part collapsed this week with city leaders fearing for its future due to growing effects of climate change.

A major storm pounded California’s central coast on Monday, brining flooding and high surf that was blamed for fatally trapping a man beneath debris on a beach and later partially collapsing a pier, tossing three people into the Pacific Ocean.

Storms slammed California’s central coast on Monday, causing high surf that tossed three people into the water and partially collapsed a pier in Santa Cruz.

Heavy surf destroyed a portion of Santa Cruz Wharf on Monday afternoon, sending three city works into the water. All three people were rescued shortly after.