Tsunami Advisory for Southern, Central Oregon Coast Lifted

Published 10/27/2012

NOTE: All advisories for the southern Oregon coast, Hawaii and California have been lifted. There are no more warnings or advisories regarding tsunamis. Full story from Saturday night below:

(Palmer, Alaska) - A 7.7 earthquake off the coast of British Columbia, Canada has much of the Canadian coast, Alaska and a small portion of the northern Washington coast under a tsunami warning – as well as Hawaii. The earthquake has also created a minor alert for the southern Oregon coast. (Above: near Florence)

The Tsunami Warning Center (TWC) in Palmer, Alaska has expanded its alert to include an advisory for the southern Oregon coast and a small section of the central Oregon coast – ranging from the Florence area down to San Francisco, California.

“A tsunami advisory means that a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to people in or very near the water is expected,” the TWC said in its bulletin.

This translates to possible strong currents and problems to those on boats at sea at the time. One scenario indicates a rise of about inch above normal sea level, which will likely not even be noticeable on any of the beaches.

However, to be completely certain, you should stay off the beaches of Douglas and Lane Counties, in case of any unpredictable surges.

The advisory does not affect the northern half of the Oregon coast, such as Cannon Beach, Seaside, Lincoln City or Yachats. The advisory does encompass towns such as Brookings, Coos Bay and Florence.

The earthquake was centered about 25 miles south of Sandspit, British Columbia and is predicted to create a small tsunami that could impact Hawaii. That state has a warning until 7 p.m. Sunday evening.

The tsunami warning for Alaska extends from the north tip of Vancouver Island to Cape Decision in Alaska, which is 85 miles southeast of Sitka. Residents of some low-lying beach areas along British Columbia and Alaska have already been asked to evacuate.

Some small amplitude tsunami waves have already been recorded by the TWC off Alaska, usually about three to four feet in amplitude. You can keep up with any further alerts from the TWC at www.tsunami.gov

To repeat: no threat or evacuations are a part of the advisory for the south coast of Oregon – and the northern half is not included in any advisory.

More photos of Lane County beaches below

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

LATEST OREGON COAST NEWS STORIES