Tsunami Affecting California Coastal Towns

While Southwest Riverside is not directly affected by the massive 8.9 earthquake that struck off Japan's coast today and triggered a devastating tsunami, neighboring Southern California coastal regions remain under tsunami warnings and advisories, and they are taking precautions.

According to the , "starting at 8:41 a.m. Friday, Carlsbad can expect a brief increase in the height of waves by up to 2.3 feet, and strong currents. Tidal surges could affect boats and docks in harbor areas.  Low tide is just before 8 a.m., and surf is expected to be 1 to 2 feet (not including the effects of the possible surge). As a precaution, city public safety officials will increase patrols along the coast this morning."

Orange County officials have closed access at all beaches, harbors and piers, warning residents to stay away due to strong currents following the 8.9 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Orange County Sheriff's Department officials were expecting the first waves to hit about 8:45 a.m. and advise no surfing, fishing and boating activity in any Orange County harbors until further notice, said Jim Amormino, spokesman for the  Orange County Sheriff's Department.

Dr. Ken Hudnut of the U.S. Geological Survey cautioned that the first arriving waves may not be the biggest waves, which could hit about three hours afterward.

"Even though waves will be two to three feet, they have very strong currents,'' Amormino said.

The City of Long Beach issued an advisory this morning that said:

"Our Police, Fire and other City Departments have already begun preparations in case there is a change in danger levels, and City officials are monitoring the situation closely.

"At this point no evacuation has been ordered, but we are asking residents near the coast to be on alert.  Residents are advised to stay out of the water as a Tsunami is capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near the water, and those conditions can last for 10 to 12 hours after 8:00 AM this morning.  Beach parking lots have been closed.  Boaters in our marinas have been advised to tighten down their boats.  Additionally, Public Works is starting the deployment of the Seawall plugs for Naples in the event those plugs are needed to prevent flooding."

In Central California, a more serious tsunami warning is in effect.

But Santa Cruz residents got ready for the tsunami in typical Santa Cruz fashion: They got out to watch the waves and planned to go eat breakfast afterward.  

While Highway 17 was packed and moving at 10 miles an hour, along the beaches people passed through Road Closed signs to get a view. 

California Highway Patrol officers waved them on, without stopping them, even in Rio del Mar, which is only eight feet above sea level.

"Somebody woke me and told me about it," said Rio del Mar resident Bert Smith, 87. "I had just taken a sleeping pill. Then my daughter came and got me and said let's go watch it and then go out to breakfast. It's very exciting. I locked my cat upstairs and he's going to be very unhappy."

Marketing executive Michelle Pate, 44, was calm, but watching carefully.

"It's probably not going to happen," she said. "But I live right in the flats, so I didn't want to take a chance."

The mobile homes that fill Seacliff State Park were evacuated and moved to the upper parking lot and some businesses were closed close to the beach.

Across Highway 1 at Heather's Bakery, the mood was lighter. Charlie, who goes just by that name, was buying coffee and a pastry wearing a swimsuit and goggles. 

"I'm ready," he said.

Further north, hundreds of cars jammed the roadside along Highway 35 as residents of Half Moon Bay and other nearby communities obeyed a voluntary evacuation warning in preparation for the tsunami's arrival at 8:08 a.m. today, according to KTVU.com.

KTVU also reports that San Mateo County officials had advised residents in the low-lying areas west of Highway 1 to move to ground east of the highway, according to the county's emergency alert system.

Water levels have risen slightly in Half Moon Bay's Pillar Point Harbor this morning, but no damage has been reported there or anywhere else in the Bay Area as the region waits for possible tsunami waves to come ashore.

Surges of water as high as 2 or 3 feet were expected to arrive at the region's coastal areas around 8 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Water levels had risen about 8 inches in Pillar Point Harbor, but no significant waves had come in as of 8:15 a.m., assistant harbormaster John Draper said. --City News Service, Nancy Wride, Brad Kava, Deanne Goodman, Kristine Wong, Nisha Gutierrez-Jaime, and Toni McAllister contributed to this report.