Tsunami Advisory Issued for California Coastline Following Chile Quake

The tsunami advisory will remain in effect until further notice, officials say

A tsunami advisory was issued for the coastline from Southern to Central California following an 8.3-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Chile, according the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

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The advisory included coastal areas from San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County to Ragged Point, about 50 miles north of San Luis Obispo.

"If you are located in this coastal area move off the beach and out of harbors and marinas," the NOAA said in its advisory.

Tsunami start times include:

  • Newport Beach at 4:46 a.m. Thursday.
  • Los Angeles Harbor at 4:47 a.m. Thursday
  • Santa Barbara at 5:06 a.m. Thursday
  • Port San Luis at 5:10 a.m. Thursday

Waves in Los Angeles County were expected to reach less than 12 inches. Waves in San Diego County were forecast to be from 4 to 8 inches, which was not enough to place the county under the tsunami advisory.

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The advisory was in effect until further notice.

"The greatest threat will be the very strong underwater currents that will be hazardous to swimmers and boaters," the NOAA said in a weather statement. "The strong currents will continue for several hours after the initial wave arrival. Strong currents in harbors and bays may damage docks and other coastal structures."

According to the NOAA, "tsunami advisories mean that a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near the water is expected or is already occurring. Areas in the advisory should not expect widespread inundation. Tsunamis are a series of waves dangerous many hours after initial arrival time. The first wave may not be the largest."

In Orange County, authorities said no evacuations had been ordered and widespread inundation was not expected. However, all beaches, piers and harbors were scheduled to close at 4 a.m., with the exception of Dana Point Harbor closing earlier at 2 a.m., due to strong currents. A tsunami less than a foot high was expected in Newport Beach at 4:46 a.m.

Residents with questions about the tsunami can call the Orange County Emergency Operations Center's public information hotline at 714-628-7085.

Officials in Los Angeles County, including the Office of Emergency Management, said in a news release they were monitoring the situation in coordination with state emergency officials.

In Los Angeles County, no evacuations were ordered for the coastal areas, according to the Office of Emergency Management. Fishermen, beachgoers and visitors were advised to stay clear of the jetties, beaches and harbor areas, according to a news release.

Los Angeles County residents and visitors were advised to call 211 for more information, according to a news release from the Office of Emergency Management.

The powerful temblor hit off Chile's northern coast Wednesday night, causing buildings to sway in the capital of Santiago and prompting authorities to issue a tsunami advisory for the Andean nation's coast and Hawaii.

Officials reported one death in a town north of the capital and heavy waves and some flooding in a handful of coastal cities.

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