Santa Cruz County Residents Return Home as Evacuation Orders Lifted
Santa Cruz Residents Return Home as Storm Subsides, Cleanup Begins
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – After a day of intense high surf and flooding, a sense of relief is washing over Santa Cruz County as evacuation orders have been lifted, allowing residents to return home. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office rescinded the order for Rio Del Mar, Beach Drive, and Los Olas Tuesday morning. Capitola Village, also under evacuation orders, has reopened, though the iconic Capitola Wharf remains closed for inspection.
While the immediate danger has passed, the storm’s aftermath is still evident.Several roads remain impassable due to important flooding, including East Cliff Drive between 26th Avenue and Palisades Avenue. The California Highway Patrol urges drivers to avoid flooded areas.
“We’re asking people to please be patient and avoid these areas until they are deemed safe,” said a CHP spokesperson.
Road Closures Persist
The following roads are also closed until further notice:
East Cliff at Ninth Avenue
East Cliff at Moran Lake
Marina Avenue at Aptos Beach Drive
Moosehead Drive
Rio del Mar at Aptos Beach Drive
The Santa Cruz Wharf, Santa Cruz Boardwalk, and all surrounding beaches remain closed as well.
Beaches Begin to Reopen
There’s some good news for beachgoers. Several beaches are set to reopen at noon Tuesday, including:
Twin Lakes State Beach
Seabright State Beach
Seacliff State Beach (lower parking lot and day use)
* Rio Del Mar State Beach
A high surf warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. Tuesday, and the coastal flood warning is set to expire at noon.
Community Resilience in the Face of Nature’s Fury
This storm served as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about weather conditions and heed the advice of local authorities.”It’s scary to think about having to leave your home with hardly any notice,” said Maria, a Santa Cruz resident. “I can’t imagine what those families in Rio Del Mar and Capitola are going through.”
Her friend, David, agreed. “It’s good they’re urging people to be patient. The cleanup is going to take a while, and it’s significant to be safe.”
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Returning Home: A Conversation About the Storm’s Aftermath in Santa Cruz
Sarah: Hey Mark, have you heard about the storm that hit santa Cruz? It was crazy!
Mark: Yeah, I saw some pictures online.Pretty intense waves and flooding, huh?
Sarah: It was more than that. they had to evacuate people from some areas like Rio Del Mar and Capitola Village. Thankfully, they’ve lifted the orders so people are starting to head back home.
Mark: That’s good news.But what about the damages? I heard a lot of roads were closed.
Sarah: You’re right. There’s still a lot of cleanup to be done. East Cliff Drive is pretty much impassable, and there are a few others still closed off. Plus, the CHP is urging everyone to avoid those flooded areas untill they’re cleared.
Mark: Makes sense. Are the beaches open again?
Sarah: Some of them are! twin Lakes, Seabright, Seacliff, and Rio Del Mar beaches are reopening today at noon. But the wharf, boardwalk, and other areas are still closed, and the high surf warning is in effect until later tonight.
Mark: It sounds like people are showing resilience, though. I saw something online about residents helping each other out.
Sarah: exactly. This whole thing has really reminded everyone of how unpredictable nature can be. It’s been inspiring to see the community come together and support each other.
Mark: I bet it’s a relief for those families returning home. Hopefully,things get back to normal soon.
Sarah: Me too. It’ll take a while to recover, but Santa Cruz is tough. They’ll bounce back.