A tsunami warning is in effect Saturday for southern California and other parts of the Pacific coast following a powerful underwater volcanic eruption near the Pacific nation of Tonga.
Strong waves are expected in SoCal, which pose a hazard to swimmers. The notice, a step below the more dangerous tsunami warning, means dangerous waves are on the way.
“If you’re planning on going to the beach today, I don’t recommend it,” said NBCLA forecaster Shanna Mendiola. “The currents will be strong.”
Waves were expected to arrive in Newport Beach between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Newport Beach piers and beaches will be closed until further notice, the Newport Beach Police Department said.
The Seal Beach Police Department said the city’s beaches are closed based on an advisory. Tsunami waves should arrive there around 7:50 am
In Hawaii, Alaska and along the U.S. Pacific Coast, residents have been asked to move off shore to higher ground and follow specific directions from their local emergency management officials, said Dave Snider, tsunami warning coordinator for the National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer. Alaska.
“We don’t issue a recommendation for this length of coastline, as we did – I’m not sure when that was the last time – but it’s really not an everyday experience,” he said. “I hope that increases the importance and gravity for our citizens.”
He said waves already making landfall in Hawaii are just below criteria for a more severe tsunami warning, with measurements at 80 centimeters (2.7 feet) in Hanalei and Maui. Waves of approximately 91 centimeters (3 feet) or more would trigger an alert. Snider said they are currently expecting waves from 30 centimeters (1 ft) to 61 centimeters (2 ft) along the Pacific coast.
Snider said residents in those areas should expect waves and strong and unusual currents for many hours, and there could be some low areas that will be flooded, such as marinas and ports.
“The important thing here is that the first wave may not be the biggest. We could watch this game for several hours,” he added. “It looks like everything is staying below warning level, but it’s hard to predict because this is a volcanic eruption and we’re set up to measure earthquakes or seismic ocean waves.”
There were no immediate reports of injuries or the extent of damage on Tonga, as communications with the small island nation remained cut hours after the eruption. Videos posted on social media showed large waves washing ashore in coastal areas and swirling around houses and buildings.
In Hawaii, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported waves ranging from half a meter (one foot) in Nawiliwili, Kauai, to 80 centimeters (2.7 feet) in Hanalei. “We are relieved that there is no reported damage and only minor flooding on the islands,” the center described the situation in Hawaii.
The New Zealand military said it was monitoring the situation and remained on standby to assist if asked.
Satellite imagery showed a massive eruption, a cloud of ash, steam and gas, mushrooming over blue Pacific waters.
A tsunami warning was issued for the entire archipelago, according to Tonga Meteorological Services, and data from the Pacific Tsunami Center showed waves of 80 centimeters (2.7 feet) had been spotted.
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.
About 105,000 people live in Tonga.
Comments are closed.