Oregon Tsunami Updates

On March 11th, a massive earthquake rocked NE Japan. The magnatude was first reported as 7.9 and has since been estimated between 8.4 and 8.9. A tsunami was triggered and subsequently caused major damage in Japan with estimates of a 13 foot wall of water. A tsunami watch was immediately issued for Hawaii. Later, that watch was upgraded to a warning.

2:18pm PST: Reports of significant damage on the southern Oregon coast, specifically the Brookings harbor. Two people were swept into the water at Gold Beach but made it back to dry land and were checked at a local hospital.

12:07pm PST: The all-clear has been given on the Oregon coast and residents may return home

11:08am PST: Looks like Oregon made it through this with minimal to no damage, details to come

7:47am PST: Water levels are now rising on the Oregon coast

7:30am PST: We are now within the window of the tsunami on the Oregon Coast. Nothing yet. Could last for hours. May not be single, visible waves rather surges where the water rises. Still expecting 3+ feet along most of the coast

7:17am PST: Delta flight 0091 from PDX to NRT (Tokyo) is delayed 2 hours, likely will be canceled

7:11am PST: NOAA is cautioning that the tsunami could result in rising water levels on the Columbia river

7:07am PST: Hwy 6 has significantly less traffic heading away from the northern Oregon Coast than Hwy 26

6:53am PST: Pacific Tsunami Center officials in Hawaii say this will be a couple hour event with multiple waves/surges.

6:47am PST: While waves around 3 feet are still expected, it is possible that the Oregon Coast will get waves up to 6 feet

6:43am PST: There will be multiple waves from the tsunami. They were about 15 minutes apart in Hawaii

6:40am PST: Evacuations on the Oregon Coast are voluntary

2:15am PST: So far, NO measurable tsunami waves have hit outside of Japan yet. Possibly a good sign for Oregon

2:12am PST: Delta flight 0091 from PDX to Tokyo shows “on time” for Fri the 11th as of now, but reports indicate it will be canceled

2:08am PST: Oregonians should note that the tsunami waves that hit Oregon will NOT be anywhere near the size that hit Japan. A couple feet, max.

1:55am PST: NOAA says the first are of Oregon to be hit will be Clatsop Spit at 7:19am and the latest will be Astoria at 7:51am

1:45am PST: Unconfirmed reports that the Seaside School District has canceled school for Friday the 11th

1:38am PST: Tsunami warning in Guam pushed back by at least 2 hours, could mean a later arrival in Oregon

1:30am PST: should have more details on the size of wave expected in Oregon once the tsunami passes Guam in the next 20 minutes

1:20am PST: A map of tsunami travel times is available from NOAA here: http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/2011/03/11/lhvpd9/01/ttvulhvpd9-01.jpg

12:57am PST: Oregon Coast upgraded to a tsunami warning, from a tsunami watch (http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mfr/)

12:45am PST: Oregonian reporting (via the University of Washington) a 3ft wave expected on the Oregon Coast at 7:15am on Friday morning (http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/03/tsunami_watch_issued_for_oregon_coast.html)

12:31am PST: NOAA West Coast and Alaska Warning Center web site now shows warning/watch (http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/)

12:27am PST: KGW’s Matt Zaffino says tsunami waves will reach Oregon at 7:24am on Fri the 11th (http://www.kgw.com/news/Oregon-Wash-coasts-under-Tsunami-Watch-117786974.html)

12:24am PST: National Weather Service Portland Office has a watch in effect for Oregon (http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/)

12:22am PST: NOAA West Coast and Alaska Warning Center web site says NO warnings or watches (http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/)

12:15am PST: there were conflicting reports of tsunami watches/warnings for Oregon, Washington and California.