A Tsunami advisory has been issued for local beaches and while officials are asking residents to stay away from the ocean, they also said the event is not expected to cause large or dangerous waves.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the warning at 6:09 a.m. on Jan. 15 following a volcanic eruption in the Tonga Islands. No tsunami activity has been reported yet but NWS said residents in a tsunami advisory area should be aware that strong waves and currents are possible locally after about 8 a.m.
Currents at beaches and in harbors, marinas, bays, and inlets may be especially dangerous. NWS said if activity occurs, the first wave may not be the largest so later waves may be larger. Each wave may last 5 to 45 minutes as a wave encroaches and recedes. Coasts facing all directions are threatened because the waves can wrap around islands and headlands and into bays.
A rapidly receding or receded shoreline, unusual waves and sounds, and strong currents are signs of a tsunami. The tsunami may appear as water moving rapidly out to sea, a gentle rising tide like flood with no breaking wave, as a series of breaking waves, or a frothy wall of water.
Some impacts may continue for many hours to days after arrival of the first wave.
Residents are advised to stay out of the water and away from beaches during the advisory. If you feel a strong earthquake or extended ground rolling take immediate protective actions such as moving inland and/or uphill preferably by foot.
