Tsunami Advisory Issued for Los Angeles County Coastline

SUMMARY

Following the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami striking Northern Japan, the NOAA’s National Weather Service West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center has issued a Tsunami Advisory for the coastal areas of Los Angeles County. A Tsunami Advisory indicates that a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near the water is expected. Significant, widespread inundation is not expected for areas under an advisory. Currents may be hazardous to swimmers, boats, and coastal structures and may continue for several hours after the initial wave arrival.

Current intelligence indicates a 3-foot surge may impact the coastline of Los Angeles County. The impact of this event has the potential of lasting 10-12 hours beginning at 8:00am PST. Mariners are advised to use caution and monitor the National Weather Service Tsunami Warning website along with the news for updates. This web site can be accessed at: http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/.

Persons in the Tsunami advisory coastal areas should move out of the water and stay off the beach. Those in harbors and marinas should follow Coast Guard and Harbor Master recommendations. At this time evacuation of the Los Angeles County coastline is not expected.

There will be Beach Closures beginning at 7:00 am in the Harbor Area at the following locations until further notice: White Point Beach, Paseo Del Mar & Meyler Beach Access and Cabrillo Beach. In addition, the Venice Pier in Venice has also been closed.

RESOURCES

Currently, LAFD and LAPD have established unified command posts at Fire Station 5, the Korean Bell, and Fire Station 69. Representatives from LAFD and LAPD are at each of these command posts. Resources are patrolling the area and monitoring the situation. One Public Information Officer (PIO) will be available at each command post.

• The LAFD Department Operation Center is activated and located at Operations Control Division (OCD).
• The Port Police Operations Center, in Wilmington, has been established.
• The City’s Emergency Operations Center has been activated at Level I and is currently monitoring the event.
• For further information regarding the tsunami, contact the City Operator at 311 or the City’s 800 helpline at (800) 439-2909.

Updated Incident Conclusion:

LAFD's Department Operation Command (DOC) was activated, five coastal Fire Stations (63, 40, 49, & 112) were moved to higher ground, five fire boats were evacuated out to sea, and LAFD resources were deployed to strategic staging locations in anticipation of any threat to life or property. Specialized resources that used were: one Swift Water Rescue Team, five Brush Patrol Trucks, and one helicopter. All three Command Posts were successfully demobilized at noon today. We are pleased to state No injuries were reported.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department