Bluff Collapse in Shell Beach Raising Concerns as El Niño Approaches. The report placed the development in Pismo Beach. Clarke reported that we're watching Mother Nature at work,.

Clarke reported that this bluff will continue to slough off. This is something we're very cognizant of. Clarke reported that there'll still be a pathway in here,. Clarke reported that but again, this bluff will continue to fall off over time.

Silas said the goal is to improve drainage, reduce the amount of water collecting near the bluff and discourage people from getting too close to an unstable edge. " There'll still be a pathway in here," Clarke said. " But again, this bluff will continue to fall off over time." The timing is particularly important as the region approaches a series of king tides in November and December, along with the possibility of…. Reports differed on the location.

Clarke said, “We're watching Mother Nature at work,”.

SHELL BEACH, Calif. (KEYT), Recent cliff erosion along the Shell Beach coastline is prompting the City of Pismo Beach to take steps to protect public safety and prepare for potentially stronger winter storms.

A small section of the bluffs located close to the Ocean Boulevard stairway near Eldwayen Ocean Park recently broke off and fell onto the beach below.

Pismo Beach Assistant City Manager Silas Clarke said Tuesday morning the city is closely monitoring the situation and pointed out that more of the bluff will likely continue to break away over time.

Clarke added the combination of large waves battering the bottom of the bluffs and heavy rainfall saturating the ground above could accelerate erosion and create additional problems for nearby infrastructure.

The city is also looking at ways to protect its stormwater and sewer systems, which are particularly vulnerable in areas where infrastructure runs close to the coastline.

While seawalls can provide protection in certain locations, Clarke added they are extremely expensive and often require state and federal grant funding, and as a result, the city must prioritize areas where the infrastructure is most at risk.

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