When a powerful earthquake off the North Coast generates a life-threatening tsunami, time will be of the essence for those in its path. In the most serious scenarios, including the “big one,” a magnitude 9.0 megathrust event on the Cascadian Subduction Zone, waves could reach the shore in minutes, before any official alert would even […]
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NCJ Preview: Tsunami Sirens and Eureka’s Drive-thru Dilemma
Is it worth it to fix Humboldt’s tsunami sirens? This week’s cover story looks at the cost and the payoff, as well as whether sirens are as effective as cellphone alerts and other warning systems. And as a petition circulates to keep Annie’s Cambodian Cuisine from being converted into a Starbucks, we’ll talk about what […]
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Tonga Tsunami: A Reminder of the North Coast’s Vulnerability
One week ago today, surges sent more than 5,000 miles across the ocean from the devastating volcanic eruption near Tonga began to hit the California coast as Humboldt County residents awoke Jan. 15 to a tsunami advisory that would span some 12 hours — and even longer just to the north in Del Norte County. […]
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Tsunami Warning Test on Wednesday
The annual Tsunami Warning Communications Test takes place Wednesday between 11 a.m. and noon, with sirens, a Civil Air Patrol flyover, alerts and notifications via NOAA weather radio as well as local TV and radio. An annual coordinated effort between between the National Weather Service, local tribal governments, Caltrans District 1, the Civil Air Patrol […]
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10 Years Later: The Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami
One decade ago, after the Tohoku earthquake and resulting tsunami devastated a wide swath of Japan’s Pacific coast, Futoshi Toba — the mayor of Rikuzentakata — sent out a haunting message to the world: ”We do not want to be forgotten. This is our hope.” His city was one of the hardest hit as waves […]
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UPDATE: No Local Tsunami Impact from Alaska Quake
UPDATE: There is no tsunami threat to the West Coast. No tsunami threat for the U.S. West Coast. https://t.co/ozG6RhFj5S — NWS Eureka (@NWSEureka) October 19, 2020 PREVIOUS: The Eureka office of the National Weather Service is awaiting word from the National Tsunami Warning Center about any potential tsunami warnings, watches or advisories for local areas […]
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California Geological Survey Issues New Tsunami Maps for Humboldt County
The California Geological Survey has issued new tsunami hazard and evacuation zone maps for Humboldt County. “We have new scientific information and better computer modeling which has resulted in better forecasts about whether or not an earthquake will create a tsunami, and the path one would take. This new information can help local governments and […]
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UPDATE: 5.6 Quake Rumbles Humboldt; No Tsunami Danger
UPDATE: Minor damage has been reported from this evening’s magnitude-5.6 earthquake that struck southwest of Petrolia in areas of Southern Humboldt County, including Garberville and Redway. The Shop Smart in Redway is currently closed while employees clean up damage to the store’s inventory and Ray’s Food Place in Garberville is only allowing customers in one […]
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Reminder: ShakeOut Earthquake Drill This Morning
Reminder: The Great California ShakeOut takes place today at 10:18 a.m. and will include a test of the Humboldt ALERT Emergency Notification System, which will send out notices to those who have registered. More than 10 million Californians are expected to participate in the drill by practicing the “Drop, Cover and Hold on” mantra of […]
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Tsunami Warning Test Set for Tomorrow
Fifty-four years ago today, at 5:36 p.m., the earth beneath southern Alaska began to shake — and continued to shake for nearly five minutes — with a force that still marks the Good Friday temblor as the largest ever to hit the United States. More than 100 people were killed by the magnitude-9.2 quake and […]
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Siren Song
When an earthquake that struck a string of remote islands off Russia was revised up to a magnitude-7.7 on July 17, the National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami advisory for parts of Alaska. Several updates were sent out over the next hour from the remote monitoring post in Palmer, Alaska, until readings came in […]
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UPDATE: Budget Committee Reverses Trump’s Tsunami System Cuts
UPDATE: The House Appropriations Committee has rejected a proposal by President Donald Trump to gut the nation’s tsunami warning system, a move one local official says could leave the West Coast vulnerable to destructives waves generated by quakes from thousands of miles away. According to the committee’s report, the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies […]