Waves pound breach in California resort's sea wall

A surge of surf leaps over a temporary sea wall at Pacifica on Sunday. Homes in the background suffered minor flooding when the sea wall collapsed in last Thursday's storm

From CNN San Francisco Bureau Chief
Greg Lefevre

PACIFICA, California (CNN) -- The storm surge that destroyed part of a sea wall at this coastal town last Thursday continued to menace the waterfront through the weekend.

Surf remained dangerous as high waves repeatedly leaped the hastily repaired wall. Spectators near the waterfront promenade were doused by water and sea spray. The waves churned the beach sand into a foamy tan soup.

This coastal town immediately south of San Francisco was hammered by waves during the winter of El Nino in 1998.

Seven homes located on a beach bluff about half a mile north of this week's damage were condemned that year when the ground beneath them was eroded by pounding surf. One of the homes plunged into the sea below as demolition crews were about to tear it down.

The crews were attempting to limit the amount of debris already scattered along the beach below.Tons of backyard lawns, fences and decks had already slipped into the surf.

This weekend, city crews waited anxiously for the stormy surf to subside so they could complete repair of the sea wall damaged when the storm arrived last Thursday.

Safety lines kept pedestrians away from the repair work.

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