Officials will reassess the situation and decide whether to reopen the Ventura Pier after Christmas based on weather conditions and forecasts. The pier was closed early Sunday morning due to high surf warnings and is expected to remain closed through Christmas Day as a precaution to prevent damage from the large waves. According to Ventura Police Cmdr. Edward Caliento, the real danger is that the rolling waves could break the pier’s uprights, which happened last year.
Intense waves have been impacting California’s coast, crashing into piers, seawalls, and cliffs. These conditions have injured several people who were swept up in the water while watching the waves. Surf on Ventura County beaches is expected to reach 15 to 18 feet through Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Dangerous waves are also affecting the Bay Area coastline, with warnings of coastal flooding and high surf through noon Tuesday. The waves are expected to reach between 30 and 35 feet, and up to 40 feet in some areas like Mavericks in Half Moon Bay.
