Santa Cruz supervisors unanimously ratify local emergency after coastal storm; port damage estimated over $20 million

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors unanimously ratified a proclamation of local emergency on Dec. 27 for the Dec. 24 coastal storm, clearing the way for county staff to request state and federal assistance and Small Business Administration (SBA) support for harbor businesses.

County Administrative Officer and director of emergency services Dave Bridal told the board the county is "recognizing this is the fourth consecutive year that we've had a special meeting to ratify a proclamation." He said the action will help the county "request state and federal assistance" and noted officials do not yet expect damages statewide to qualify for a federal disaster declaration. "We will be requesting SBA support for the economic impact to the businesses on the wharf and businesses inside the harbor," Bridal said.

Why it matters: The board’s ratification enables more formal requests for aid and positions local leaders to seek federal programs that can assist small businesses and property owners affected by harbor and shoreline damage. County and port officials described significant immediate impacts to harbor infrastructure, beach access points and debris across municipal and state-managed shorelines.

Bridal described the county’s damage assessment as preliminary but significant, particularly for the port. "The latest figure I've gotten is north of 20,000,000," he said, characterizing that as an early estimate for harbor-related repairs; earlier comments during discussion referenced initial harbor estimates in the $15 million–$18 million range. Bridal also reported at least six to eight boats were sunk and many more damaged. He said county staff are coordinating with state agencies to pursue debris-removal missions and to include county beach access sites and affected city beaches in the initial damage estimates submitted to the state.

Port officials who spoke during the meeting urged swift action. "I'm with the Santa Cruz Port District on the board commission," said Toby Goddard, who thanked county staff for convening the meeting and voiced the port commission’s support for the board’s actions. "The harbor took a terrible beating," Goddard said, and he referenced the port director’s initial estimate of about $20 million for repairs.

Bob Duet, a newly appointed port commissioner, also spoke in support of the actions before the board.

Supervisor Friend, who moved the recommended actions, framed recovery as a long-term challenge: "Resiliency is gonna be key moving forward," Friend said, noting financing will be a significant hurdle as the county repeatedly confronts storm-related damage.

The motion to adopt the recommended actions was moved by Supervisor Friend and seconded by Supervisor McPherson. A roll call vote recorded ayes from the three present supervisors; Supervisors Koenig and Cummings were absent. The motion passed unanimously.

The board did not take votes on specific projects or funding allocations at the meeting; Bridal said staff are still gathering initial damage estimates and will pursue available assistance programs. The special meeting adjourned, and the board’s next regular meeting was set for Jan. 10, 2025 at 9 a.m.