Pacifica in state of emergency over El Niño storm damage

Fears that crushing waves and powerful rains from El Niño would erode the coastal bluffs in Pacifica — where several vacant apartment buildings and homes have been left teetering for years — were realized this weekend.

The city declared a state of emergency Friday in part because of accelerated erosion to the cliffs along Esplanade Avenue and Palmetto Avenue, where two properties in recent days were evacuated.

Officials have worked to preserve the delicate sandstone bluffs by piling rock on the beach below, drilling reinforcement rods into their sides and covering the cliff faces with reinforced concrete.

YouTube user Duncan Sinfield posted drone video Saturday that captured a large chunk of the cliffside breaking off under the apartments on Esplanade, as large waves crashed below.

The Pacifica Pier — a favorite spot for anglers and tourists — sustained damage and was partially closed, while last week, part of the walkway along the seawall at Beach Boulevard gave way.