Tsunami warning canceled after strong California earthquake
The National Weather Service canceled a tsunami warning Thursday for a large stretch of California coastline, saying the threat had passed following a strong earthquake near Eureka.
(NEXSTAR) – The National Weather Service canceled a tsunami warning Thursday for a large stretch of California coastline, saying the threat had passed following a strong earthquake near Eureka.
The tsunami warning, which blared on many California residents' phones at 10:50 a.m., warned people to move away from coasts. The affected area stretched from southern Oregon through the Bay Area and down to Davenport, just north of Santa Cruz.
"You are in danger. Get away from coastal waters. Move to high ground or inland now. Keep away from the coast until local officials say it is safe to return," the warning read.
The tsunami threat was triggered by an earthquake with an epicenter about 40 miles southwest of Ferndale in Humboldt County. The USGS gave the earthquake a preliminary magnitude of 7.0, though it could be revised in the hours to come.
"It started out shaky and then turned into a rolling one," said Humboldt resident Katie Hall. "It seemed like it went on forever."
The large earthquake was followed by several, smaller aftershocks.
The National Weather Service estimated tsunami start times between 11:10 a.m. and 12:40 p.m. before the warning was officially canceled for the entire West Coast.
"Remain observant and exercise normal caution near the sea," the National Weather Service said just before 11:30 a.m. "Otherwise... no action is required."
About 5 million people were under the warning while it was in effect.
Nexstar's Bill Disbrow contributed to this report.
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