The National Weather Service issued a tsunami advisory covering
the Monterey County coast Saturday, but big waves failed to
materialize and no major damage or injuries were reported.
The National Weather Service issued a tsunami advisory covering the Monterey County coast Saturday, but big waves failed to materialize and no major damage or injuries were reported.
Monterey Harbor officials noticed water rise 8 inches about 12:45 p.m., but said there were no problems in the harbor. The Coast Guard reported no incidents.
The National Weather Service cancelled the advisory at 8:21 p.m.
The advisory stemmed from the magnitude 8.8 earthquake that hit central Chile overnight. The death toll was 300 and was expected to rise.
The advisory initially covered the West Coast, but was scaled back during the day.
Officials said it was unlikely low-lying coastal areas in Monterey County would become inundated, but ocean currents originating from the quake were expected to be exceptionally strong and unpredictable.
“An advisory is the lowest thing on the pecking order, meaning we’re expecting waves of five feet or less,” said Sidney Reade, Emergency Services Planner for the Monterey County Office of Emergency services.
“We expected waves from the earthquake to start hitting us here at 12:43 p.m. and last for two-three hours, and possibly as long as six hours, depending on what kind of aftershocks they’re getting in Santiago.”
Multiple agencies teamed up to close beaches and warn people to stay away from the water, including coastal law-enforcement, fire and emergency services, CalTrans, the state forest service, and state parks.
Pacific Grove police officers closed parking lots along Ocean View Boulevard. The popular Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, with its dramatic rocky shoreline, was closed to visitors.
Emergency officials used an automated system to warn Peninsula residents not to go in the water and to stay off local beaches.
