Waves Rolling Into Santa Cruz Harbor; Stay Aboard Residents Evacuated At Berkeley Marina – CBS San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF/AP) — An underwater volcano spectacularly erupted near the Pacific nation of Tonga on Saturday, sending large tsunami waves across the coast and triggering a rare tsunami alert for the northern California coast.
The National Weather Service issued the alert tweet – “A tsunami advisory has been issued for the US West Coast, including our area. Wave arrival time: around 7:35 this morning. A tsunami is expected that can create strong currents that endanger swimmers, boats and coastal structures.”
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Waves of 1-3 feet are possible.
The Weather Service issued the following estimated arrival times for the tsunami wave:
- Fort Bragg – 7:35 am
- Monterey – 7:35 a.m
- Crescent City – 8:00 a.m
- San Francisco – 8:10 am
#Tsunami is expected to reach #SanFrancisco around 8:10 am this morning, which corresponds to #HighTide for #SanFrancisco at 9:09 am. Expect low lying flooding and minor flooding, particularly in areas like #MarinHeadlands. #Cawx pic.twitter.com/PoR3WYZ13D
— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) January 15, 2022
The weather service tweeted: “This is especially important for people who are just waking up and may not be checking the news or social media before heading out for their morning walk on the beach. Please consider phoning loved ones if you know they are currently on shore to let them know of the danger.”
Stay on higher ground. This is an actual view of Miramar Beach in Half Moon Bay. @SMHarbor #CaWx #California @sanmateoco @sccounty pic.twitter.com/irnxkofMGi
— CAL FIRE CZU (@CALFIRECZU) January 15, 2022
Tide gauges at Point Reyes and Monterey are now experiencing initial water disturbances from the incoming tsunami. (see diagrams)
The tsunami will hit our shores and bays over the course of several hours, and peak water levels may not arrive for hours after onset. pic.twitter.com/AkbVSvqKfp
— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) January 15, 2022
The San Leandro police also issued a warning.
“Extensive flooding is not expected at this time, but damaging wave activity could occur in ports and marinas,” the alert said. “While no large waves or extensive flooding are expected in the area, we are advising residents to avoid waterways until the warning is canceled as the waves could still pose a hazard to boats and swimmers.”
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San Francisco Emergency Medical Services officials also issued a warning.
“A tsunami advisory means strong, dangerous currents are expected to affect San Francisco’s beaches, ports and marinas, and finger piers in coastal areas,” the alert said. “Dangerous currents are expected to begin at 8:10 a.m. and continue for many hours.”
The wave hit the Hawaiian Islands around 6 a.m
“A tsunami is currently being observed by the emergency management of all islands,” the weather service tweeted. “We are relieved that there is no reported damage and only minor flooding on the islands.”
There were no immediate reports of injuries in Tonga or the extent of the damage as communications with the small nation remained problematic. Videos posted on social media showed large waves washing ashore in coastal areas and swirling around houses and buildings.
2022-01-14: (Correction on date) Large volcanic eruption near Tonga (Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano) seen from space today. Shown on visible images by Himawari satellite. #hiwx #tsunami #earthquake pic.twitter.com/Y18W7wvXl9
— NWSHonolulu (@NWSHonolulu) January 15, 2022
The New Zealand military said it was monitoring the situation and remained on standby to assist if asked.
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Satellite imagery showed a massive eruption, a cloud of ash, steam and gas, mushrooming over blue Pacific waters.
A tsunami warning was in effect for the entire archipelago, according to Tonga Meteorological Services, and data from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center showed waves of 80 centimeters (2.6 feet) were measured.
Residents of American Samoa were alerted to the tsunami warning by local broadcasters and church bells ringing nationwide. An external siren warning system was out of order. Those living along the coast quickly moved to higher ground.
As night fell, there were no reports of damage and the Hawaii-based tsunami center canceled the warning.
Authorities in the nearby island nations of Fiji and Samoa also issued warnings, urging people to avoid the coast because of strong currents and dangerous waves. The Japan Meteorological Agency said there may be a slight swell in the water along Japan’s coasts, but no damage is expected.
News site Islands Business reported that a convoy of Tonga’s police and military troops escorted King Tupou VI. evacuated from his palace near the coast. He was among the many residents who moved to a higher level.
The explosion of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcano was the latest in a series of spectacular eruptions.
A Twitter user identified as Dr. Faka’iloatonga Taumoefolau released video showing waves crashing ashore.
“Can literally hear the volcano erupting, sounds pretty intense,” he wrote, adding in a later post, “It’s raining ash and tiny pebbles, darkness covers the sky.”
Earlier, the Matangi Tonga news site reported that scientists observed massive explosions, thunder and lightning near the volcano after it erupted early Friday. Satellite imagery showed a cloud 5 kilometers (3 miles) across that rose about 20 kilometers (12 miles) into the air.
More than 2,300 kilometers away in New Zealand, officials warned of storm surges from the outbreak.
The National Emergency Management Agency said some parts of New Zealand could expect “strong and unusual currents and unpredictable coastal waves” after a major volcanic eruption.
The volcano is about 64 kilometers (40 miles) north of the capital, Nuku’alofa. Already in late 2014 and early 2015, a series of eruptions in the region created a small new island and disrupted international air traffic to the Pacific archipelago for several days.
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About 105,000 people live in Tonga.
