'It's heartbreaking'

Several hundred evacuees were in the Catalina Express terminal building in Long Beach. Some were watching the television coverage in the lounge area, while others boarded Long Beach transit buses to shelters at nearby Cesar Chavez Park. Some evacuees were staying with relatives in San Pedro or Wilmington.

Amanda Cervantes said she has lived on the island for 24 years. She said many people who were waiting to board boats on the island were crying and fainting as thick smoke and ash rained down on them.

"It's heartbreaking," she said. "It's not a good scene."

-Jeff Rabin