Tsunami advisories were issued Wednesday night for parts of the Southern and Central California coast after a massive earthquake struck Chile.
The National Weather Service issued advisories covering the coast from San Onofre State Beach to Point Piedras Blancas in San Luis Obispo County. The advisory was also in effect for the Channel Islands.
Waves were expected to arrive in Los Angeles Harbor and Newport Beach beginning about 4:45 a.m. Thursday with peak wave heights of less than a foot, according to the weather service. However, especially strong surges and currents may occur around the time of high tide around noon Thursday.
“If you are located in this coastal area, move off the beaches and out of harbors and marinas,” the weather service said.
The advisory warned of expected strong currents that could prove “hazardous to swimmers, boats and coastal structures.”
“Areas within the advisory should not expect widespread inundation, however, there is the potential for strong currents in harbors and marinas.”
The Orange County Emergency Operations Center Public Information Hotline is open for calls about the tsunami advisory, which includes the Orange County coast. The number is (714) 628-7085.
The earthquake that spurred the warning struck off the coast of central Chile at 3:55 p.m. and had a preliminary magnitude of 8.3.
City News Service contributed to this article.