Small waves from tsunami likely to hit California on Friday morning; beaches might be cleared
Officials said California could see small waves Friday morning resulting from the 8.9 magnitude earthquake in Japan.
Cindi Preller of the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center told Fox 11 News that the tsunami could cause some unusually high tides but not major inundations.
It's possible that officials will ask that beaches be cleared as a precaution. She added that the situation on the California coast might be similar to the aftermath of last year's Chile quake. That quake caused some small waves but caused no major damage.
Officials said the tsunami-related waves would occur in Santa Monica at 8:39 a.m. and in Newport Beach at 8:45 a.m.
The latest alerts cover Japan, Russia, many Asian countries and Pacific islands, including Hawaii as well as many South and Central American countries such as Chile, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and Colombia.
In Hawaii, officials expect a wave could hit at 2:59 a.m. Hawaii time (4:59 a.m. PST).
RELATED:
Magnitude 8.9 earthquake rocks Japan
Tsunami warning includes Hawaii
PHOTOS: Scenes from the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and its aftermath
-- Shelby Grad, Rong-Gong Lin II and Jill-Marie Jones
Image credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
EDITOR'S PICKS:
I feel so bad for the Japanese people at this time. Hundreds already dead and the count is not in yet. People lose their whole world in a matter of seconds and many lost their lives. Whole families swept away. What a shame.
Posted by: Janice | March 11, 2011 at 10:06 AM
It is terrible that so many may be lost or injured, and my sincere thoughts are with them.
As for the curious idiots that insist on treking to the beaches for a good look, or actually surfing or boarding, if they are washed away, so be it. Rescue personnel should not put their lives on the live to save them. You can't fix stupid. If you were born with a brain, use it!
Posted by: watchitgo | March 11, 2011 at 12:36 PM
All, we need to step up and give what we can to help in aide to Japan. Believe me Japan will never forget. I am giving $100 to the American Red Cross for relief in Japan. I am unemplyed but after watching the damged that the tsunami created was more than I care to watch over as I know the buildings and houses have people in them. Please help with what you can. The US is sending help and annother Carrier is on the way. The USA is always there regardless if we are broke or not. It is our duty as Americans to help any way we can. Please donate today. God Bless America. Now stand and show the World who WE are.
Posted by: Molon Labe | March 11, 2011 at 01:31 PM
I love how all these religious weirdos come out with verses and such... if you do believe in God then isn't it he who has killed all these people? After all it isn't the first time he's done it... in fact your God keeps killing people over and over again. "The Devil did it" you say... yeah show me 1 just 1 example in the bible where Satan has killed anyone??? In fact the only thing the Devil has ever did was tempt!?! Read the bible religious brain deads and you will find the truth.
Posted by: BILL | March 11, 2011 at 06:20 PM
hey look im really young and honestly im scared may god protect us all : '(
Posted by: lindsey | March 11, 2011 at 07:45 PM
hey can somebody tell me is the tsunami would hit modesto?
Posted by: andrea | March 11, 2011 at 11:48 PM