Santa Cruz County issued evacuation warnings Friday for low-lying areas of Capitola and Aptos as dangerous surf approaches the coast. The county’s emergency page says people in the affected zones should get ready to leave. Anyone who needs extra time, needs help moving, or has pets or livestock should leave now. The county page lists the affected areas under warnings and shows no evacuation orders.
Which neighborhoods are under evacuation warnings?
The warnings took effect at 2 p.m. Pacific Friday. The county lists four zones:
- CTL-E027A and CTL-E029B cover parts of Capitola Village, including the Esplanade and the Venetian.
- CTL-E031 covers Potbelly Beach, New Brighton State Beach and its campground area.
- CTL-E048 includes Las Olas, Beach Drive in Rio Del Mar and Platform Beach.
Check your address on the county’s evacuation map. If officials issue an evacuation order for your zone, leave immediately. The county says to stay away from the shoreline and never drive through floodwater.
When Santa Cruz beaches and the wharf close
In a separate measure, the city of Santa Cruz is closing its beaches and the Santa Cruz Wharf from 10 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 15. Reopening depends on weather and ocean conditions. Those dates apply to city beaches and the wharf. Check the county’s site for evacuation warnings outside the city.
The county says waves could break at 25 to 35 feet or higher. It expects a second swell Monday and urges people to stay away from the shore even if conditions ease Sunday. CruzAware carries local emergency alerts.
