Oct 29, 1999
15 foot swell in association with a relatively high tide produced waves as high as 40 feet which broke trough the seawall in Capitola and flooded low lying streets and businesses. A number of boats were ripped from their moorings and washed ashore or sunk. A 20 male surfer was drowned when he was caught in the huge surf. A number of other receive minor injuries. The Capitola Pier was closed for the first time anyone can remember because the waves were breaking up through the decking of the pie
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 5724735). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Monterey County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.