Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Warning/Advisory

At approximately 9:46 p.m. PST, a magnitude 8.9 earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Honshu, Japan.

The images coming out of Japan today are simply horrifying. The loss of life and the damage caused by this natural disaster is nothing short of tragic. My heartfelt sympathies are extended to the Japanese people and to all the families touched by this event.

I strongly encourage my constituents in Los Angeles and all Californians to take every precaution for their safety and follow the guidance offered by our emergency personnel members and first responders. Let us all be safe and vigilant in the hours and days ahead.

A Tsunami Warning continues for the:

  • Coastal areas of California and Oregon from Point Concepcion, California, to the Oregon-Washington border, and coastal areas of Alaska from Amchitka Pass (125 miles west of Adak) to Attu.

A Tsunami Advisory continues for the:

  • coastal areas of California from the California-Mexico Border to Point Concepcion, California, and coastal areas of Washington - British Columbia and Alaska from the Oregon-Washington Border to Amchitka Pass, Alaska. A Tsunami Warning continues for the remainder of the Pacific Basin, including the Northern Marianas, Guam, Hawaii, and American Samoa.

Southern Californa beachers are closed:

  • Point Conception could see "tsumani inundation measuring between 3.5 to 7 feet, according to the latest report from the National Weather Service. Santa Barbara and Long Beach could see wave heights between 2 and 3 feet.

Estimated arrival times:

PORT SAN LUIS HARBOR 8:09 a.m.

SANTA BARBARA HARBOR  8:17 a.m.

SANTA MONICA: 8:32 a.m.

SAN PEDRO 8:32 a.m.

NEWPORT BEACH 8:45 a.m.

LA JOLLA 8:48 a.m.

What to do Before and During a Tsunami

  • Turn on your radio to learn if there is a tsunami warning if an earthquake occurs and you are in a coastal area.
  • Move inland to higher ground immediately and stay there.
  • Stay away from the beach. Never go down to the beach to watch a tsunami come in. If you can see the wave you are too close to escape it.

CAUTION - If there is noticeable recession in water away from the shoreline this is nature's tsunami warning and it should be heeded. You should move away immediately.

What to Do After a Tsunami

  • Stay away from flooded and damaged areas until officials say it is safe to return.
  • Stay away from debris in the water; it may pose a safety hazard to boats and people.
  • Save yourself - not your possessions

Other resources:

Background:

A tsunami warning is issued when a tsunami with the potential to generate widespread inundation is imminent or expected. Warnings alert the public that dangerous coastal flooding accompanied by powerful currents is possible and may continue for several hours after initial arrival. Warnings alert emergency management officials to take action for the entire tsunami hazard zone. Appropriate actions to be taken by local officials may include the evacuation of low-lying coastal areas, and the repositioning of ships to deep waters when there is time to safely do so. Warnings may be updated, adjusted geographically, downgraded, or canceled. To provide the earliest possible alert, initial warnings are normally based only on seismic information.

A tsunami advisory is issued when a tsunami with the potential to generate strong currents or waves dangerous to those in or very near the water is imminent or expected. The threat may continue for several hours after initial arrival, but significant inundation is not expected for areas under an advisory. Appropriate actions to be taken by local officials may include closing beaches, evacuating harbors and marinas, and the repositioning of ships to deep waters when there is time to safely do so. Advisories are normally updated to continue the advisory, expand/contract affected areas, upgrade to a warning, or cancel the advisory.

Japan Earthquake Information

The Department of State is asking U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Japan in the aftermath of a powerful 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck northern Japan on Friday. Use the tool on the right to locate persons missing, or provide infrmation about the location of a person in Japan. 

Officials said that the travel alert expires on April 1, 2011. The Department of State strongly urged U.S. citizens to avoid tourism and non-essential travel to Japan at this time.

Tokyo airports are currently closed; other airports in Japan may be closed or have restricted access. Public transportation, including trains and subways are closed in the Tokyo area, and service has been interrupted in other areas. Many roads have been damaged in the Tokyo area and in northern Japan.

 

If you are concerned about a friend or loved one, here is what you can do to find more information:

  • If you are a resident of California's 33rd Congressional District or have concerns about a constituent from the district, my offices can help facilitate your efforts to obtain information on the status of U.S. citizens.
  • If you have concerns about a specific U.S. citizen in the Tsunami zone outside of Japan, please send an an e-mail at PacificTsunamiUSC@state.gov
  • E-mail inquiries are strongly preferred, but constituents may call the Department's emergency assistance center at 1-888-407-4747 (Calling from outside the U.S. + 1-202-501-4444) if they are unable to use e-mail.
  • If you are calling regarding a Japanese citizen, please contact the nearest Japanese Embassy (Washington - 202-238-6700) or Consulate.
  • If you are calling regarding a citizen of a third country, please contact that country’s Embassy or Consulate. Contact information for foreign Embassies and Consulates in the United States is available in the Country Specific Information links at www.travel.state.gov.