Boats destroyed by El Nino winds in San Diego.

Catamaran driven into the rocks near the Grape Street pier during an El Nino storm in downtown San Diego.
Catamaran driven into the rocks near the Grape Street pier during an El Nino storm in downtown San Diego.

Yesterday and last night an El Nino-driven storm produced very strong winds throughout San Diego. Last night as I lay in bed I listened to the wind howl and powerful gusts shake my building. So this morning I figured I’d get up and see if any damage occurred downtown.

Large branches were down, and one tree lay on the sidewalk on State Street just south of Cedar. But when I reached the Embarcadero, I saw some real devastation. Many boats had been driven aground, and were either submerged or partially submerged.

Here are some photos. They aren’t cool.  But they are newsworthy.  I feel badly for the people who lost their boats.

Masts of a sailboat rise above the water the morning after fierce winds buffeted San Diego's Embarcadero.
Masts of a sailboat rise above the water the morning after fierce winds buffeted San Diego’s Embarcadero.
All the local television news stations had cameras at the scene. The images were truly devastating.
All the local television news stations had cameras at the scene. The images were truly devastating.
Resident of catamaran driven aground on deck of half-submerged boat. I wish her well in this difficult situation.
Resident of catamaran driven aground on deck of half-submerged boat. I wish her well in this difficult situation.
The seagulls were enjoying the stiff chilly morning breeze, but the worst of the gusts seem to be over by sunrise.
The seagulls were enjoying the stiff chilly morning breeze, but the worst of the gusts seem to be over by sunrise.
Another boat was driven up against the boardwalk between the Hornblower dock and Maritime Museum. Just the mast was sticking out from the churning bay.
Another boat was driven up against the boardwalk between the Hornblower dock and Maritime Museum. Just the mast was sticking out from the churning bay.
Several more boats piled up right next to the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
Several more boats piled up right next to the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
A small boat between the museum's deep diving Dolphin submarine and the pilings. I was told the restored Swift Boat owned by the Maritime Museum of San Diego sustained some damage.
A small boat between the museum’s deep diving Dolphin submarine and the pilings. I was told the restored Swift Boat owned by the Maritime Museum of San Diego sustained some damage.
The effects of El Nino winds seen up close. The wind howled during the night, and in the morning light, the damage became apparent.
The effects of El Nino winds seen up close. The wind howled during the night, and in the morning light, the damage became apparent.

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Richard Schulte

Downtown San Diego has been my home for many years. My online activities reflect my love for writing, blogging, walking and photography.

13 thoughts on “Boats destroyed by El Nino winds in San Diego.”

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