Updated at 9:30 a.m. on March 11
At 7 a.m. on Friday, March 11, Brendan Cowan, Director of the San Juan County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) wrote regarding the 8.9 earthquake that occurred in northern Japan last night, and the resultant tsunami:
“Current forecast is for tsunami from Japan quake to have no major impact on San Juans. However, there may be some strong currents or tidal fluctuations as a result of the surge, possibly starting as soon as 8 or so this morning.
“If you could help me do the two following things, I’d greatly appreciate it:
- Help spread the word that the islands are not at risk for any sort of flooding from tsunami at this time.
- If you notice any unusual tidal conditions, please give me a call at 298-0455 or email me. Tell me where, when, and what you noticed. This info will be very helpful in understanding potential impacts here from distant quakes.
Just to confirm: current science suggest the San Juans have little to fear from distant source quakes. If we feel the quake, then there’s potential here for a tsunami- and that shaking is our single best warning system.
At 5 a.m. this morning, Dave Halloran of the County Department of Emergency Management issued this advisory:
Keep your eyes on (and your feet out of) the water Friday morning.
After the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, a Tsunami Advisory was issued in the early morning hours for the coast of Washington including the inland waters. The Sheriff’s Office 911 dispatch and Emergency Management monitored the latest reports through out the night and after consultation with NOAA forecasters at the Weather Service in Seattle and the State Emergency Operations Center determined there would be little threat to the San Juans.
The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center has forecast waves of 8 inches to 10 inches between Port Angeles and Bellingham as a result of a possible Tsunami. Arrival time should be 7:45-8:00 AM – be on the safe side and stay clear of the beaches this morning! Check the latest at https://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/ get Tsunami tips at
https://goo.gl/S9muz or by phone 370-7612 or 370-0587 on Orcas.
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