Tsunami Advisory Issued for Area Beaches

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a tsunami warning early Friday morning for California's coast north of Point Concepcion, calling for residents to move immediately inland or to higher ground.

They placed Los Angeles, as well as the area from Santa Barbara to Mexico --Venice included -- under an advisory. According to NOAA's website, "Significant, widespread inundation is not expected for areas under an advisory."

An 8.9-magnitude earthquake occurred off Japan's coast at approximately 9:46 Thursday night, creating a tsunami that hit Japan's coast minutes later.

NOAA estimates that waves from the earthquake would hit Los Angeles at approximately 8:30 a.m.

Although Santa Monica Beach and the Santa Monica Pier were closed, Venice Beach remained open, and a surfer was spotted in the water around 7:15 a.m.

The impact of the expected surge could last up to 12 hours, Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Sam Padilla told City News Service. He said no evacuations are expected along the coastline.

"We're not anticipating too many issues," said Battalion Commander Dean Ulrich of the Los Angeles City Fire Department. Ulrich said the county's Department Operational Center was on alert, but "they aren't looking at any evacuations."

"They are looking at a 3-foot surge at low tide," Ulrich said. "We get that on a nice-going storm."

Santa Monica Fire Chief Carl Bjerke told Santa Monica Patch that the potential surge would have different effects along the coastline, depending on whether the area in question has a harbor or a bay.

Redondo Beach and Marina del Rey, for example, "might have some issues" because they have a harbor. He said boats that are moored or tied to docks could be impacted by the expected 3-foot surge.

Waves are expected to hit Hawaii at approximately 5 a.m. PST. NOAA, the federal agency charged with monitoring potential tsunamis, has buoys positioned around Hawaii that will provide additional information about the speed, size and strength of the waves.

"Hawaii is the area of most imminent concern," said Trent Kelly, public affairs officer for the Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach.

Although predictions at 4 a.m. were that Los Angeles would not experience a tsunami, waves are unpredictable.

"Every wave is different," Kelly said. "These are truly tidal waves. The waves are under the surface of the water, and as the wave rides up, you start to see more of a build. Depending on the force and magnitude ... you could get something that could carry." Even waves of a few feet have been known to travel inland.

Kelly recommended that residents continue to monitor NOAA's alert system, but was reassuring that potential dangers would be known in advance. "NOAA has buoys 100 miles from the coast," he said. "Once there is a projected landing time, there are still a couple hours there."

This story was updated at 7:25 a.m.