Tsunami Warning Issued, then Cancelled
OEM release – The National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami advisory Saturday morning, January 15, for the coast of Oregon, Washington and California, due to a large undersea volcanic eruption near Tonga. Residents in coastal areas were advised to move off beaches and out of harbors and marinas. Waves of 1 to 3 feet along the coast of Oregon and Washington were expected. The first waves arrived at the Oregon Coast around 8 a.m. and could have continued for up to 24-hours. “Stay away from port harbors and low-lying beaches because those strong currents can still cause a lot of damage, and you could be potentially risking your life,” Oregon Office of Emergency Management Geologic Hazards Coordinator Althea Rizzo said. Rizzo added it is important to know if your home, work, school, etc., are in a tsunami inundation zone. For information on tsunami and tsunami hazards visit: https://www.oregon.gov/oem/hazardsprep/Pages/Tsunami.aspx
Coos Co. Tsunami Warning
CCSO release – Please see below for information regarding a tsunami advisory. The Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management is closely monitoring for updates and will issue further guidance as needed. At this time, wide spread effects are not expected as waves of 1 to 2.5 feet may impact the coast at about 8:10 Saturday morning. Please avoid beaches this weekend until the threat has passed. Special Weather Statement for Coos County, OR. …TSUNAMI ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR COASTAL AREAS OF OREGON AND CALIFORNIA… ORZ021-022-151915- South Central Oregon Coast-Curry County Coast- Including the cities of Coos Bay, North Bend, Reedsport, Bandon, Port Orford, Coquille, Brookings, Harbor, and Gold Beach. …TSUNAMI ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR COASTAL AREAS OF OREGON AND CALIFORNIA… * LOCAL IMPACTS… For people in the advisory area…A tsunami capable of producing strong currents that may be hazardous to swimmers… boats…and coastal structures is expected. Widespread inundation is NOT expected. * RECOMMENDED ACTIONS… For people in the advisory area…If you are located in this coastal area…move off the beach and out of harbors and
marinas. Do not go to the coast to watch the tsunami. Be alert to instructions from your local emergency officials. * FORECAST TSUNAMI START TIMES… Port Orford Oregon 755 AM PST on Jan 15; Brookings Oregon 800 AM PST on Jan 15; Charleston Oregon 810 AM PST on Jan 15. Tsunamis often arrive as a series of waves or surges which could be dangerous for many hours after the first wave arrival. The first tsunami wave or surge may not be the highest in the series. * FORECAST TSUNAMI DURATION…Until further notice. * FORECAST PEAK TSUNAMI WAVE HEIGHTS…1 TO 2.5 feet. * PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION…At 8:27 PM Pacific Standard. Time on Jan 14 a volcanic eruption occurred near the Tonga Islands. A tsunami was generated from the volcanic eruption. * TIDE INFORMATION… Charleston…Low tide of -0.3 ft at 540 PM PST on Jan 16. High tide of 8.1 ft at 1035 AM PST on Jan 16. Port Orford…Low tide of -0.5 ft at 528 PM PST on Jan 16. High tide of 7.7 ft at 1007 AM PST on Jan 16.
Douglas Co. Tsunami Reaction
DCSO release – DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. – An underwater volcanic eruption near Tonga prompted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to issue a distant tsunami advisory for Washington’s southern coast and Oregon’s northern and central coasts, which included Douglas County. The impact to Douglas County coastal areas was expected to occurr around 8:00-8:30 am. * LOCAL IMPACTS * A tsunami capable of producing strong currents in bays and harbors that may be hazardous to swimmers and boats. Widespread danger away from the beach is not expected at this time. * RECOMMENDED ACTIONS * If you are located in this coastal area, move off the beach and out of harbors and marinas. Do not go to the coast to observe conditions. Be alert to instructions from local emergency officials. Stay tuned to your emergency services, local news sources and NOAA weather radio for further information and updates.