San Francisco Bay Tsunami Warning: What California Residents Need To Know

Authorities in San Francisco and other northern California communities issued a tsunami warning on Thursday after the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 7.0 earthquake off the coast of Northern California. The National Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning, advising people in the affected region to move to higher ground.

The quake was felt as far south as San Francisco, where residents felt a rolling motion for several seconds. It was followed by smaller aftershocks.

According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake struck just before noon, about 40 miles west of Petrolia, a small unincorporated community in Humboldt County.

What California Residents Need To Know

Emergency notifications sent to smartphones urged users in the affected areas to move to higher ground immediately, “A series of powerful waves and strong currents may impact coasts near you. You are in danger. Get away from coastal waters,” the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

The National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning Thursday morning after a preliminary earthquake struck off the coast of Eureka. The waves are expected to reach San Francisco by 12:10 pm.

Meanwhile, the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District ( BART ) has stopped traffic in all directions through the underwater tunnel between San Francisco and Oakland.

The warning for California stressed that there might be more than one wave and that the initial wave might not be the biggest. Among the estimated tsunami arrival timings were:

Oregon

Florence

Coos Bay

Bandon

Gold Beach

Brookings

Northern California

Crescent City

Eureka

Trinidad

Fort Bragg

Mendocino

Point Arena

Davenport (near Santa Cruz)