Tsunami Advisory Issued For Central, Southern California Coast

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – The National Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami advisory for a coastal areas in Central and Southern California Wednesday evening, following a magnitude 8.3 earthquake in Chile.

Officials issued the advisory at 6:45 p.m. for coastal areas, from Ragged Point in San Luis Obispo County to San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County.

UPDATE: Tsunami Advisory Dropped For Hawaii; Remains In Effect For Central, Souther California Coast.

An advisory means either a tsunami producing strong currents or waves dangerous to people near the water in the affected area could occur. The center said "widespread inundation" is not expected.

Around 4:45 a.m. Thursday, waves began to grow to about one foot in Newport Beach.

The National Weather Service is forecasting waves of under 1 foot in the affected area.

READ MORE: SoCal Beaches, Harbors, Marinas To Remain Closed In Wake Of Tsunami Advisory

Officials in Southern California said while they are not expecting major damage, they are urging those near the water to prepare.

The center advises people to move off of beaches, harbors and marinas in the affected area. According to the scientists at the University of Hawaii, tsunami waves are not suitable for surfing.

A tsunami advisory in connection with the earthquake has also been issued for the Hawaiian islands.

The last time tsunami waves struck the California coast was in 2011, after a magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck off Japan. The tsunami caused more than $20 million in damage to the Santa Cruz harbor.

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