An updated tsunami warning was issued by the National Weather Service at 11:24 a.m. Thursday and was in effect until 12:24 p.m. for the South Central Oregon Coast and Curry County Coast.
“If you are in this coastal area, move inland to higher ground. Tsunami warnings mean that a tsunami with significant flooding is possible or already occurring. Tsunamis are a series of waves that are dangerous many hours after the initial arrival time. The first wave cannot be the largest. At 10:44 a.m. Pacific Standard Time on December 5, an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.0 occurred 45 miles southwest of Eureka, California. The estimated start times of the tsunami for selected locations are; Bragg California 11:10 AM PST. Crescent City California 11:20 AM PST PST December 5 San Francisco California 12:10 PM PST December 5,” the weather service said.
Understanding Tsunami Warnings
When it comes to tsunami warnings, knowledge is your best defense. The weather service categorizes tsunami warnings into four levels, each meaning a different degree of risk:
Tsunami Warning: Immediate action required
A tsunami is expected or occurring that could cause widespread flooding. Dangerous coastal flooding and strong currents are possible and may last for several hours or days after arrival. Follow the instructions of local officials. Evacuation is recommended. Move to higher ground or inland (away from the water).
Tsunami advice: Be careful
When a tsunami with a risk of strong currents or dangerous waves is expected or occurs close to the water’s edge, a tsunami advisory is issued. This can lead to flooding of beach and harbor areas. It is critical to stay out of the water and maintain a safe distance from beaches and waterways while following instructions from local authorities.
Tsunami Watch: Stay Prepared
A tsunami watch is activated when a remote earthquake has occurred and there is a possibility of a tsunami. People in the affected areas are advised to stay tuned for further updates and be prepared to take action if necessary. Although the threat is not immediate, preparedness is essential.
Tsunami Information Statement: No immediate threat
This declaration is issued when an earthquake has occurred but there is no threat of a devastating tsunami. In some cases the earthquake may have been too far away to pose any danger.
It is important to note that official warnings do not always provide sufficient lead time in the event of a tsunami. Natural signs can serve as early warnings. If you are near the coast and experience a strong or prolonged earthquake, witness a sudden rise or fall of the ocean, or hear a loud roar from the sea, these are signals from nature. Don’t wait for official instructions; take immediate action to get to a safe location. Your safety comes first and understanding these warnings can make a life-saving difference.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service from United Robots, which uses machine learning to gather the latest data from the National Weather Service.