Crumbling Seaside Cliff Forces Evacuation

(AP)  A crumbling cliff forced residents to grab what they could and flee an apartment building atop a Northern California coastal bluff over fears it could slide into the Pacific.

Building officials in Pacifica ordered residents out immediately Thursday morning as large chunks of cliff plunged into the ocean, leaving the 12-unit building just 10 feet from the edge of the wave-battered 50-foot bluff.

The evacuation order was issued after part of the cliff, saturated by recent storms, broke off around 5:30 a.m., chief building official Doug Rider said.

An initial evacuation deadline of 5 p.m. was moved up as the cliff continued to crumble. About 20 frantic residents were packing up what belongings they could.

Building manager Randall Nelson, a 14-year resident, told the San Francisco Chronicle he would be moving in with his in-laws.

"We live here because we love the ocean, but nothing lasts forever," he said.

Two nearby buildings also were being monitored but remained stable for the time being, thanks to a protective barrier of boulders, Rider said.

[Bigheader]

I just purchased a seaside condo. Between the city, coastal commission it is really a PITA when you go to save your property. I was talking to a long time resident and he said at one time there was a road between the condo and ocean. Now there is just ocean.

[ubrew12]

This is a zoning problem with Pacifica that has gone on for years. However, the role of global warming is potentially significant. Certainly, if sea levels were FALLING this would not be an issue.

[CarlosdelGato]

Same thing in southern California too. I spent many years in Encinitas watching the cliffs do the same thing. My friend use to have 100 ft. of backyard and today he has maybe 20 and that's over 16 years or so. Hope he can sell out when the economy comes back.

[Oregon_State_OSU]

Ocean Front Property. With the Rains and Storms that are coming for the rest of the winter in California,,,,,,,this apt complex is toast.