A tsunami advisory was in effect Tuesday evening for coastal areas from San Diego County north to San Luis Obispo County following a powerful earthquake measuring a magnitude 8.7 off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula.
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, expected or occurring, according to the Tsunami Warning Centers.
People living in coastal areas were advised by the National Weather Service to move off the beach and out of harbors and marinas.
The public was also advised by the weather service to not go to the coast to watch and to be alert to instructions from local emergency management officials.
“While the National Weather Service currently projects a wave surge from the earthquake to be less than one foot some time in the early morning hours, the city of Los Angeles is making essential preparations to respond should forecasts change conditions in Los Angeles, especially in the Port of Los Angeles and coastal communities,” Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement.
“We are working closely across all levels of government to activate emergency preparation and response. I urge all residents to stay informed and adhere to guidance from officials and first responders.”
The city’s Emergency Operations Center was activated and being staffed by key department personnel as of 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Port of Los Angeles police personnel are on heightened alert to respond as needed. The Los Angeles Fire Department’s battalions in coastal areas are monitoring and will deploy department vessels within the harbor, according to a statement from Bass’ office.
While the need for evacuations is currently highly unlikely according to the National Weather Service, emergency responders and buses are on standby to assist with any evacuation orders, the statement said.
Bass also encouraged Los Angeles residents to register for emergency alerts at NotifyLA.org.
The centers issued a list of potential start times for tsunami activity — if it occurs at all — across the state, including 1 a.m. Wednesday for Los Angeles Harbor, 1:10 a.m. for Newport Beach and La Jolla and 1:15 a.m. for Oceanside.
The quake struck at about 4:25 p.m. Aftershocks measuring magnitudes of 6.9 and 6.3 were recorded over the ensuing hour after the original temblor, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
More serious tsunami warnings were issued for Hawaii and the Alaska coast in response to the quake.