Rising seas and frequent storms are battering California’s piers, threatening the iconic landmarks
More storms, rising seas and huge waves are taking their toll on California’s iconic piers that have dotted the Pacific coast since the Gold Rush.
SAN DIEGO — More storms, rising seas and huge waves are taking their toll on California’s iconic piers that have dotted the Pacific coast since the Gold Rush, posing the biggest threat yet to the beach landmarks that have become a quintessential part of the landscape.
At least a half dozen public piers are closed after being damaged repeatedly by storms over the past two years. Repair costs have climbed into the millions of dollars.
Among those shuttered is the pier in Capitola built in 1857 that predates the northern California town and is a popular spot to watch passing whales and dolphins. Another damaged by storms in San Diego, the Ocean Beach pier, offers a bird’s eye view of surfers carving waves below.
More damage is possible this year with El Nino, which is expected to bring additional storms to California caused by the temporary warming of parts of the Pacific that changes weather worldwide. Back-to-back atmospheric rivers began drenching California on Friday.
City engineers are looking at redesigning piers to withstand bigger surf with a rise in sea levels. Others face relocation or removal.
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