Whatcom sees these waves Saturday during tsunami advisory after Tonga eruption
Coastal Whatcom County remained under a tsunami advisory Saturday afternoon, Jan 15.
The tsunami advisory remains in place for Washington Coastal waters and is expected to until the wave heights drop below the minimum threshold in the next few hours, according to John Gargett, deputy director of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management.
British Columbia has determined there is no risk to British Columbia waters any longer and has shut down operations, Gargett wrote at 3:30 p.m.
Whatcom County saw very minor tsunami waves, of about 3 1/2 inches, at the Cherry Point tide gauge, he wrote.
The county expects the advisory to be dropped in a few hours and plans no further advisories for this event.
Residents should still remain observant and cautious along the shoreline, Gargett wrote.
Waves produced by a large volcanic eruption in the South Pacific reached Alaska and Hawaii earlier in the day and the Whatcom County tsunami advisory started at 9 a.m.
“This morning at approximately 0500 a Tsunami Advisory was issued for the Washington Coast including the Strait of Juan De Fuca and the San Juan Islands as a result of a volcanic eruption in Tonga. Wave heights from this tsunami are forecast to be 1-2 feet for the outer coast of Washington and possibly could impact our coastal areas. These waves may have associated strong currents. While the risk appears to be low, residents are advised to stay off the beaches of Whatcom County until the Tsunami Advisory is lifted,” Gargett told The Bellingham Herald in a text message.
Wave heights have been ranging from 1-2 1/2 feet from Alaska through California, according to an update from Gargett, with multiple waves occurring and are expected to last for 4-5 hours from the first wave.
“Remember, the first wave may not be the largest or most destructive,” he wrote.
Coastal observations at 10 a.m. were for 0.3 feet at Tofino, B.C., and 0.9 feet at La Push, Wash. Waves reached 4.0 feet at Port San Luis, Calif.
“While both the timing and actual effects are still not known, this tsunami event is unique in that the tsunami was caused by an undersea volcano and earthquake modeling for tsunamis may not apply,” Gargett wrote.
“Out of an abundance of caution” these notifications were made:
▪ Residents are advised to stay off the beaches of Whatcom County beginning at 1000 today due to the potential of strong currents and dangerous waves until the Tsunami Advisory is lifted later this afternoon.
▪ Persons living on boats in marinas or at anchor are advised to move to the shore until the Tsunami Advisory is lifted.
▪ The Whatcom Chief ferry serving Lummi Island will be suspending service this morning until the Tsunami Advisory is lifted.
▪ The United States Coast Guard has issued a Notice to Mariners regarding the potential of the tsunami.
▪ Washington State Emergency Management has stated that the effects may be similar to recent King Tide events.
The Washington Emergency Management Division posted on the NextDoor social media site:
“Do not go out to the beaches to look at tsunami waves. It’s not a good day to be a tourist on the beach. Dangerous wave and strong currents are expected. Stay out of the water and move well away from shore.”
This story was originally published January 15, 2022 at 7:51 AM.
