FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 30th, 2025

CRESCENT CITY, CA - At approximately 2:40 AM, Crescent City Harbor sustained significant tsunami-related damage, primarily affecting "H" Dock. A surge of water of several feet in height caused the decking of the dock to lift along its pilings, but as water levels continued to rise, the structure was unable to adjust. The decking became lodged on the pilings and was eventually submerged, resulting in major structural failure and complete separation of the dock. Electrical arcing and sparking were observed during the incident and are clearly visible and audible at the 0:16 mark in the attached video.

No injuries have been reported. All vessel movements, both arrivals and departures, are prohibited until further notice by order of the Harbormaster, in order to prevent personal injury and protect harbor infrastructure. Power and water service to most dock areas have been shut off, except to supply power for emergency pumps, as wave surges are ongoing.

No loose, drifting, or damaged vessels have been observed. During one of several recurring water surge events, multiple fishing vessels attempted to return to port but were turned away by the U.S. Coast Guard via VHF Channel 16 as a safety precaution. Other docks appear to have remained intact, with H Dock bearing the brunt of the impact and absorbing the majority of the energy.

Following catastrophic tsunami damage in 2011, the Inner Boat Basin was completely reconstructed to be tsunami resistant. The current infrastructure includes 30-inch diameter steel piles encased in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sleeves, driven 21 to 37 feet into bedrock for added stability. Notably, “H” Dock was engineered as a wave and current attenuator, with closely spaced pilings specifically designed to disrupt and dissipate tsunami energy before it reaches the inner harbor. Its sacrificial role in the overall design appears to have functioned as intended, absorbing the brunt of the surge and helping to protect the more interior docks.

Damage assessments are still underway, but it is not yet safe to make close observations. Further updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.

Media Inquiries:

CCHD Contact:

Mike Rademaker, CEO/Harbormaster

Email: mrademaker@ccharbor.com | Phone: (707) 464-6174