More than a hundred community members gathered around the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf stage on a sunny and brisk Saturday morning to witness the reopening ceremony of the 110-year-old structure,

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 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.

A portion of the Santa Cruz Wharf collapsed Monday and is floating away after being battered by life-threatening waves that could exceed 30 feet.

Santa Cruz State Beaches said that Seacliff State Beach and Rio Del Mar State Beach will be closed until noon on Wednesday. Twin Lakes State Beach, Seabright State Beach and both sides of the fencing at San Lorenzo Point will be closed until 6:00 a.m. Dec 30. due to debris that is washing up onshore.

The wharf reopened to visitors and merchants less than two weeks after a dangerous storm's crashing waves collapsed more than 100 feet of the pier into the ocean.

Two days before Christmas, the Santa Cruz area was hit by the biggest ocean swell in 30 years. The huge waves tore apart a portion of the city's municipal wharf and it has been closed to the public ever since.