Storms uncovering history in Aptos

While it’s not uncommon for winter storms to reveal some of the old seawall at Seacliff State Beach in Aptos, many say it’s uncovering more this year than they’ve seen in decades.

Mike and Nancy Day who have been visiting Aptos for more than 40 years say mother nature meant business this year, “it’s powerful, there’s been a bigger storm this year, a bigger ocean than I’ve seen in a long time.”

It’s something most residents say is exciting to see, “seeing all of the barriers that were put up here in the 20’s and stuff like that, seeing them exposed so much is pretty rare. I mean every once in a while you’ll see them after storm, but not to the extent that they are right now. The erosion away from the walls too is amazing”

State Parks interpreter, Joseph Carr Ritchie works in the Seacliff Visitor Center and says we could be seeing it more often, “if we see as we’ve been seeing more extremes in California weather, we may be seeing more extremes when it comes to beach erosion.”

While it can be fascinating to look at, Ritchie says you need to remember, “the same waves that are caring off literally tons of sand from our beach, could carry you off, so please observe this fascinating and exciting winner from a safe distance.”

Most residents also saying they are not worried about this erosion, they usually see the sand come back around late spring, early summer.