Tsunami Hits NorCal Coastline

March 11-12, 2011

Editor's Note: This page was a work in progress, updated as events unfolded.

March 11, 0825 PST: If you've had the news on this morning, you'll already know that an 8.9 earthquake hit Honshu, the main island of Japan, and a tsunami is hitting our coastline. Big surf's up at Fort Point, the shore of Pacifica and Santa Cruz have been evacuated, water is receding from Santa Cruz Harbor, Half Moon Bay, and Pacifica. See http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/ and www.usgs.gov and http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/2011/03/11/lhvpd9/11/messagelhvpd9-11.htm

0833 PST: The water has now surged back in at Santa Cruz Harbor, with some boats sunk, other boats broken free, and some of the docks are damaged. The water is now surging back out. KCBS-AM 740 is doing a good job of minute-to-minute coverage. Apparently it could have been worse if the tsunami hadn't hit at low tide. Santa Cruzers have not abandonned the harbor, but rather are trying to save the boats. KCRA-TV 3 has a good report at www.kcra.com/video/27162585/detail.html.

The wave energy. ©2011 NOAA

The earthquake struck Japan at 9:46 p.m. PST (afternoon in Japan), and the tsunami passed Hawaii on its way to hit California less than 12 hours later. Hundreds are dead or missing in Japan. A contact of ours in Hawaii said, "We made out okay here in Hawaii. Had a few 6-ft waves. Some docks and piers broke loose but we are all alive."

0926 PST: Just hearing now that the surges in Crescent City have gotten worse and have destroyed all the docks, and 35 boats have been crushed. Fortunately, the docks were the old ones, and not the planned new ones.

0944 PST: The Great Highway in San Francisco is closed; Hwy. 1 is closed in part of El Granada; schools are closed for the day in Pescadero, Half Moon Bay, Pacifica and Stinson Beach/Bolinas. We are still under warnings in California.

1130 PST: As of late morning PST (early afternoon HST), things were getting back to normal in Hawaii, with evacuaees being allowed back into their neighborhoods. Hawaii suffered some flooding and wave damage.

1200 PST: The USCG announced that they are searching for a man who was swept out to sea in Crescent City near the mouth of the Klamath River. He and two others were swept out while trying to take pictures; the other two made it back to shore. Helicopters are in the air searching now. Crescent City's biggest wave was higher than eight feet.

1250 PST: A forced evacuation of Santa Cruz Harbor is about to begin, as the situation there is considered too dangerous and crowds are gathering to check out the damage.

The following photos were taken from a property on Frederick Street in overlooking the north harbor. Thanks to Synthia Petroka and Beau Vrolyk for connecting us with the photographers.

All photos above ©2011 Charles & Karen Leigh-Wood

Saturday morning, March 12: Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in Del Norte, Humboldt, Santa Cruz and San Mateo Counties, clearing the way for federal aid from FEMA. Estimated damage to docks and boats in Santa Cruz is estimated at $15 million.

More photos from Santa Cruz, taken by Beau Vrolyk:

Outflow at the mouth of the harbor

Docks and floats go on walk-about

A boat trapped against a piling of the railroad trestle

Santa Cruz rapids. Photos above ©2011 Beau Vrolyk

See more of Beau's photos here.