A Tsunami Advisory remains in effect for all coastal regions of the Bay Area and the Central Coast following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Russia on Tuesday afternoon.
Tsunami waves hit the West Coast very early Wednesday morning, and the NWS warns that the waves may continue for hours. Even if wave heights are low, local beaches may experience dangerous and powerful currents.
According to the NWS’s latest update, most of the coast has seen tsunami activity slowly subside, but some areas like Crescent City continue to experience rapid changes in water level.
In addition to the local Bay Area and Central coastlines, the Tsunami Advisory remains in effect for Hawaii and the entirety of the West Coast south to Rincon Point, California, until further notice.
How can I stay informed?
There are several official alert systems and sources that you can follow for the latest updates about tsunami conditions on the California coast:
- Tsunami.gov – This is the official website for the National Tsunami Warning Center, providing real-time tsunami messages, hazard information, and preparedness resources. Keep an eye on the map for general updates about where to expect each of the four tsunami warning levels.
- National Weather Service Bay Area – For localized alerts about Bay Area coastlines, keep up with the NWS Bay Area website or follow @NWSBayArea on X
What is a tsunami advisory?
A tsunami advisory is the third of four tsunami warning tiers in the Tsunami Warning System.
While it doesn’t usually signify widespread flooding or damage, it warns people to stay out of the water and away from beaches and waterways.
Strong currents and waves may create dangerous conditions for people in or very near the water.