Tsunami arrives in Pacific states
The tsunami generated by the massive earthquake that struck Japan less than twelve hours ago has begun reaching North American shores, according to local authorities, news media, and eyewitness accounts.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that tsunami waves were coming ashore, but were not powerful enough to cause the kind of catastrophic damage that we've seen in the pictures and video from northern Japan:
Washington, Oregon, and California will be impacted next. Some coastal towns, such as Florence and Long Beach, have been evacuated as a precautionary measure. The tsunami is on its way and will be making its presence known within the next hour. We'll bring you live updates as we get them.
UPDATE, 7:05 AM: Some Washington school districts serving coastal communities (Cape Flattery, Ocean Beach) have decided to close for the day. Others (South Bend, Willapa Valley, Raymond, Aberdeen, Hoquaim, Tahola) are on a two-hour late start.
Audible warnings are being issued up and down the coast. Many residents and visitors have wisely chosen to move to higher ground, with some cities being described as ghost towns. Firefighters have been going door to door in some places, and reverse 911 calls have been used to warn residents by phone.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that tsunami waves were coming ashore, but were not powerful enough to cause the kind of catastrophic damage that we've seen in the pictures and video from northern Japan:
"The tsunami is arriving on all islands," said Gerard Fryer, a scientist with the Tsunami Warning Center. A 6-foot surges were detected in Kahululi Harbor. Fryer said a second surge was more than 7 feet at Kahului Harbor.The tsunami has also come ashore in the Aleutians, but no damage has been reported there. The Aleutians are used to getting hit by storm surges, so this tsunami won't seem too out of the ordinary.
"There's little question that there was some damage at that level," he said.
However, no damage reports have been received yet.
John Cummings, a spokesman from the city's Department of Emergency Management, said there were "signs of inundation," on Oahu. But at this point, "nothing really major."
The city issued a notice saying that Honolulu "has been impacted by a tsunami. Be aware that inundation effects could continue for several hours. Do not go near coastal areas.
"When safe to do so, emergency responders will assess the ocean and beach conditions to determine the extent of damage and dangers."
Washington, Oregon, and California will be impacted next. Some coastal towns, such as Florence and Long Beach, have been evacuated as a precautionary measure. The tsunami is on its way and will be making its presence known within the next hour. We'll bring you live updates as we get them.
UPDATE, 7:05 AM: Some Washington school districts serving coastal communities (Cape Flattery, Ocean Beach) have decided to close for the day. Others (South Bend, Willapa Valley, Raymond, Aberdeen, Hoquaim, Tahola) are on a two-hour late start.
Audible warnings are being issued up and down the coast. Many residents and visitors have wisely chosen to move to higher ground, with some cities being described as ghost towns. Firefighters have been going door to door in some places, and reverse 911 calls have been used to warn residents by phone.
# Posted by Andrew : 6:56 AM
Comments:
Post a Comment