Tsunami — Northern Monterey Bay, California

2022-01-15 · Northern Monterey Bay, California

Event narrative

Wave energy from the tsunami reached the West Coast and caused approximately $6.5 million in damage to Santa Cruz Harbor, according to the local Port Director. Damage was inflicted on utility infrastructure, pilings and bathroom facilities, as more than 3 feet of water poured in. Waves also knocked out power around the harbor docks, a place where many people live on their boats.

https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2022/01/18/santa-cruz-harbor-sees-more-than-6-million-in-tsunami-damage/.

https://twitter.com/VFisher45/status/1482419734112915457.

Wider weather episode

An underwater eruption of a volcano in Tonga (South Pacific archipelago) triggered a tsunami across the Pacific basin. The National Tsunami Warning center in Palmer, AK issued a Tsunami Advisory for the U.S. Pacific Coast on the morning of January 15th due to the threat of strong currents and dangerous waves reaching the area. The wave energy damaged boats in harbors, flooded parking lots and coastal areas, and led to water rescues of boaters and surfers all along the coast. Around the SF Bay Area and Central Coast, the greatest impacts were observed in the Port of Santa Cruz. Local authorities closed beaches, boardwalks, harbors and piers all along the coast and people were instructed to keep boats docked. Peak tsunami wave heights along the Central Coast were measured at 2.4 feet at a Monterey tidal buoy and 2.9 feet at a Point Reyes buoy Sunday morning, with higher heights in San Luis Obispo and Mendocino Counties. The Tsunami advisory was lifted for parts of the coast by Saturday evening, with the remaining coastal areas removed from the advisory just after midnight Sunday.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1005799. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.