The California coast is under a tsunami advisory following an 8.8-magnitude earthquake off the coast of eastern Russia, with a series of waves expected to impact coastal areas overnight.
Potential start times for tsunami activity are around 1:05 a.m. Wednesday in the Los Angeles Harbor area, 1:10 a.m. for Newport Beach and 1:15 a.m. for Oceanside and La Jolla, according to the National Tsunami Warning Center.
Meteorologists with the National Weather Service said people living in coastal areas should monitor local weather and safety alerts for updates.
Paul Steward, lead forecaster with the National Weather Service San Diego, said people need to stay out of open water and away from beaches, harbors and marinas while the tsunami advisory is in place.
For those who live on or right by the coast, he said it’s important to monitor weather updates to determine if they need to leave their home and head further inland.
The tsunami is expected to have the impact of a minor coastal flooding event in the Los Angeles area, according to Ariel Cohen, lead meteorologist with National Weather Service Los Angeles.
About one to two feet of localized flooding could be expected in the area, meaning community members should secure boats and other property near the coast. Boats, buildings and docks that are on or right by the coast could detach, Cohen said.
“We’re going to have dangerous conditions after midnight,” he said.
Minor damage is expected in the harbor area, and salt water may extend into parking lots and roads near the harbor, Cohen said. The tsunami isn’t expected to impact communities further inland.
The city of Huntington Beach posted its tsunami safety plan, telling community members to stay out of the water and away from the shore during a tsunami advisory. If residents feel shaking and are in a red zone along the coast or if they receive a tsunami alert, they should move inland immediately and follow evacuation routes.
City officials closed all beaches and the harbor and pier. More information can be found at huntingtonbeachca.gov/tsunami.
Huntington Beach and Newport Beach also encouraged residents not to call 911 unless they’re experiencing a life-threatening emergency.
