Reports of Crescent City Harbor Damaged/ Humboldt County Tsunami/ Mendocino County Tsunami Updates

UPDATE NOON:  The most current information can be found here.


UPDATE 10:30 from county services: Crescent City Harbor had 35 boats crushed against the docks, which were also destroyed.  The surge threatened to overtop the breakwater, but has not done so yet.  There are no reports of damage to homes.

Santa Cruz reports 3 boats damaged, and 2 million-dollar docks are adrift at this time. No reports of damage from Mendocino or Sonoma at this time. Here in Humboldt the first wave surge is reported to have crossed Highway 101 at Freshwater.  The surge at Eureka’s small boat basin was reported at 5′, and apparently tossed some boats against each other, but no damage is reported.

The water has since receded, but there are more surges yet to come which could be even higher.

Bear in mind that we are at low tide right now (10:11) and future surges will be made worse as the tide comes in through the day with high tide at 4:46.  We could well see an increase in wave size, turbulence and intensity.

UPDATE  10:50 from Mendocino Sheriff

In Mendocino County the threat HAS NOT passed.  If you are contacted please let people know that it is quite possible the worse is yet to come. There have been numerous 7.0 or larger aftershocks and the experts indicate we could see Tsunami events continue through this afternoon and into the evening.

At this time it is very early but so far we have not received any reports of damages or injuries.  However, please be vigilant as often folks think the event has passed and go back to their routines, only to be surprised later.

UPDATE 11:20 More video from Santa Cruz.

______________________________________-

In the photo above provided by Supervisor Mark Lovelace, the OES  (Office of Emergency Services  in Eureka)  coordinates services and prepares Humboldt’s response to today’s tsunami warnings.  Japan’s 8.9 earthquake late last night has set towering waves surging across the ocean.  Twitter feeds are buzzing with stories of boats getting serious damage in Crescent City.  Here is one: “RT @sethd85 This just in from @Tara85’s mom: “The docks are gone. 35 to 40 boats destroyed in our harbor.”

Here is a joint press release from county services:

In response to a tsunami warning issued for the coastal areas of California, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has enacted VOLUNTARY evacuations for the low lying areas of Humboldt County and recommends residents in those areas move to higher ground and inland. The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services is advising this is now a declared disaster. Redwood Acres has been established as the evacuation center. Areas of concern include the Arcata Bottoms, the Samoa Peninsula, the North and South Spits, the Humboldt Bay lowlands area from Second Street to the bay and from Broadway to the bay, Indian Island and Woodley Island in Eureka, King Salmon, Fields Landing, the Loleta Bottoms, and the Ferndale are west of Dillon and Meridian Roads. All City of Eureka, City of Arcata elementary school district, McKinleyville Elementary and Crescent City schools have been closed as well as the following Humboldt County schools: Orick, Freshwater, South Bay, and Garfield. College of the Redwoods is closed as well. PG & E has established rolling outages for the next 2 hours to lighten their power load. The first wave hit our coast approximately 0730 hrs. in Shelter Cove with about 3 foot waves. The first wave may not be the only wave nor the highest, and wave action may last as long as 12 hours after the first wave. DO NOT go to “watch” the wave. Local law enforcement agencies are reporting significant drawdown in the water level in several coastal areas. Listen to LOCAL TV, radio, and NOAA weather radio for further advisories and instructions. We are also recommending residents with access to a computer go to www.humboldt.edu/rctwg/ to see if their location is within the threatened areas. Avoid unnecessary travel if you are already within a safe area. California Highway Patrol has closed US101 North of Orick at the 101 bypass, and south of Orick at Cane Road.

Caltrans traffic cam at Spruce point (just south of Eureka) is pointed out to the Bay so you can check it out. Here is Fire Law and Emergency Medical service live feed so you can follow. Here is live stream of the boats getting damaged in the Santa Cruz harbor.   Mendocino has issued the following warning:

Those persons living at or up to one hundred feet (150′) above sea level were given the opportunity to voluntarily evacuate to higher ground. The following road closures will remain in place until the Tsunami threat has passed:  Highway 1 at Highway 128 and Elk at or near Highway 1 north. The following schools have closed for the day: Mendocino School District.  Point Arena and Manchester Schools will be delayed until approximately 1000. Those persons who evacuated from their residence can find shelter at either the Fort Bragg Senior Center or the Point Arena High School Gymnasium.

In the midst of our concern with the North Coast, don’t forget Japan–Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 in the US, or to 30333 if you’re in Canada.

Meanwhile, some Humboldt residents are ready to ride the wave. (unknown photographer on facebook -if anyone knows who these kids are and who took the photo please let me know.)

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21 Comments
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Jen
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Jen
13 years ago

Great job keeping us informed, Kym. The news has been a bit sporadic.

Jen
Guest
Jen
13 years ago

Great job keeping us informed, Kym. The news has been a bit sporadic.

longwind
Guest
longwind
13 years ago

Thanks for all the awesome info. I guess I’m going to Arcata after all.

Staff
Member
13 years ago
Reply to  longwind

I just talked to my husband who traveled into work in Eureka without incident. If you are in Arcata, I hear Brio is making awesome deals on bread that unopened stores didn’t get…. I love their bread!

longwind
Guest
longwind
13 years ago

Thanks for all the awesome info. I guess I’m going to Arcata after all.

Staff
Member
13 years ago
Reply to  longwind

I just talked to my husband who traveled into work in Eureka without incident. If you are in Arcata, I hear Brio is making awesome deals on bread that unopened stores didn’t get…. I love their bread!

skippy
Guest
skippy
13 years ago

Thank you for keeping us up to speed, Kym. Folks are relying on these sites almost as much as local news.

This morning our reverse 911 call at home waked us up; several minutes later the neighborhood heard our tsunami sirens several miles dustant for the first time. Our preparedness systems worked well– and the blog information is fairly good and accurate.

Your update of the County joint press release has been cross-posted over at Heraldo’s site. Supervisor Lovelace also gave some very early information this morning on the tsunami information and Humboldt County (thank you, everyone).

SoHum Parlance II is maintaining some information here.
Heraldo’s site and readers are also keeping
folks in touch and aware.

Thank you, Kym.

Staff
Member
13 years ago
Reply to  skippy

Skippy, Thank you. I have been going so fast I haven’t even checked out the other sites. I should have.

skippy
Guest
skippy
13 years ago

Thank you for keeping us up to speed, Kym. Folks are relying on these sites almost as much as local news.

This morning our reverse 911 call at home waked us up; several minutes later the neighborhood heard our tsunami sirens several miles dustant for the first time. Our preparedness systems worked well– and the blog information is fairly good and accurate.

Your update of the County joint press release has been cross-posted over at Heraldo’s site. Supervisor Lovelace also gave some very early information this morning on the tsunami information and Humboldt County (thank you, everyone).

SoHum Parlance II is maintaining some information here.
Heraldo’s site and readers are also keeping
folks in touch and aware.

Thank you, Kym.

Staff
Member
13 years ago
Reply to  skippy

Skippy, Thank you. I have been going so fast I haven’t even checked out the other sites. I should have.

Dave
Guest
13 years ago

I just heard a report about 4 people swept out to sea in Crescent City. One is a confirmed fatality – 11:37 PST

Staff
Member
13 years ago
Reply to  Dave

Thanks Dave!

Dave
Guest
13 years ago

I just heard a report about 4 people swept out to sea in Crescent City. One is a confirmed fatality – 11:37 PST

Staff
Member
13 years ago
Reply to  Dave

Thanks Dave!

Winter $antander
Guest
Winter $antander
13 years ago

We live on south H in Arcata. Were evacuated by police at ~7am, they went door to door. (Thank you trust APD!) they blocked off our roads down here with orange cones, so we headed 2 the highest ground we thought of -Wildberries = ) Thats where we remained until we heard it’s “safe” {although i guess it remains to be seen, what with aftershocks & such) Thank you for a great site with all the latest accurate info in 1 spot, nice work!!

Staff
Member
13 years ago

Thank you for filling us in.

Winter $antander
Guest
Winter $antander
13 years ago

We live on south H in Arcata. Were evacuated by police at ~7am, they went door to door. (Thank you trust APD!) they blocked off our roads down here with orange cones, so we headed 2 the highest ground we thought of -Wildberries = ) Thats where we remained until we heard it’s “safe” {although i guess it remains to be seen, what with aftershocks & such) Thank you for a great site with all the latest accurate info in 1 spot, nice work!!

LKBlog
Guest
LKBlog
13 years ago

Extraordinary coverage Kym so I’m linking this article to my blog.

All best,

L.

Staff
Member
13 years ago
Reply to  LKBlog

Thanks.

LKBlog
Guest
LKBlog
13 years ago

Extraordinary coverage Kym so I’m linking this article to my blog.

All best,

L.

Staff
Member
13 years ago
Reply to  LKBlog

Thanks.