Tsunami Advisory Issued For California Coast After Volcano Erupts

ACROSS CALIFORNIA — A tsunami advisory has been issued for the California coastal area Saturday following an underwater volcanic eruption in the Tonga Islands.

According to the National Weather Service Bay Area, unusual wave action along parts of the California coast was expected to start at approximately 6:15 a.m. PT, reaching others as late as 8:10 a.m.

A tsunami is capable of producing waves and strong currents that can be dangerous to swimmers, boats and coastal structures. Currents at beaches and in harbors, marinas, baysand inlets may be especially dangerous.

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Tsunami activity is expected to start at the following locations at the specified times:

• Fort Bragg: 7:35 a.m.
• Monterey: 7:35 a.m.
• Port San Luis: 7:40 a.m.
• Santa Barbara: 7:45
• La Jolla: 7:50 a.m.
• Los Angeles Harbor: 7:50 a.m.
• Newport Beach: 7:55 a.m.
• Oceanside: 7:55 a.m.
• Crescent City: 8 a.m.
• San Francisco: 8:10 a.m.

In response to the advisory, many coastal towns, such as Seal Beach and Laguna Beach, have closed beaches and boardwalks until further notice.

The tsunami is expected to impact coasts and bays over the course of several hours, the National Weather Service said, and the highest water levels may not arrive until Saturday afternoon.

Minor flooding and inundation of low-lying areas are possible, especially in areas where arrival corresponds with high tide.

If you are in the advisory area, the National Weather Service recommends you stay out of the water, off the beach, and away from harbors, marinas, breakwaters, bays and inlets. Do not go to the shore to observe the tsunami and do not return to the coast until local emergency officials say it's safe to do so.

More information is available at tsunami.gov.

"Seeing some surges on the Port San Luis tsunami gauge. Reporting up to a 24 cm residual so far. That's 9.4 inches or about 19 inches from the bottom and top of the residual," the National Weather Service's Los Angeles office tweeted at 8:08 a.m.

A tsunami hit Tonga's largest island, Tongatapu, according to CNN, which reported that waves were flooding the capital.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.

City News Service contributed to this report.