Partial Cliff Collapse in Del Mar

This wasn't the first and it won't be the last cliff to collapse in the North San Diego.  Just a few months ago, part of a cliff collapsed in Encinitas, killing several people.  The collapse in Del Mar occurred after 48 hours of heavy rain washed away part of the cliff near the Del Mar train station..  The station has not been used in years, but the rain washed away part of the train tracks, so service between Del Mar and San Diego was closed temporarily.

I have recently read a great deal about climate change, and one thing is for sure.  The cliffs along La Jolla, Del Mar, Solana Beach and Encinitas will someday be gone.  We don't know when, it could be 10 years or 50 years, but erosion will eventually take them down. 

I watch little children play on the beach below Fletcher Cove, and even with signs that say "Unstable Cliffs," parents still allow their kids to play close to them.  It's just a matter of time.  Perhaps some of these areas should be closed.  The area in Del Mar where the partial cliff collapse occurred is frequented by children and adults.  There's a park nearby, and walking paths below the cliffs that are in constant use.  I know.  I lived there for seven years and used to walk that area all the time.  I hope another tragedy doesn't have to take place like what happened in Encinitas to get people's attention.  In my opinion, areas with unstable cliffs above should be closed to the public.  It's just tempting fate to have people walking and playing where a cliff could collapse.

On Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, my mom was taking the train home from Oceanside to Los Angeles.(the Del Mar train closure took place on Saturday so she was not affected).  As we're driving to the train station my mom says, "I hope the rain didn't wash out any of the train track."  The next day, part of the train tracks in Del Mar  WERE washed out.  Smart lady.