Tsunami Watch Upgraded to Warning for West Coast

UPDATE: San Mateo County is evacuating all beaches and low-lying coastal areas in response to an approaching tsunami, officials said.

Dangerous waves and tidal surges are expected to hit San Mateo County between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m.

County officials are advising residents in the low-lying areas west of Highway 1 to move to ground east of the highway, according to the county's emergency alert system.

Residents in the Linda Mar area of Pacifica are advised to evacuate to the east of Adobe Drive.

Those in El Granada should evacuate to the east of Coronado Street.

Evacuation shelters are being established at Terra Nova High School at 1450 Terra Nova Blvd., Oceana High School at 401 Paloma Ave., Farallone View Elementary School at 1100 Le Conte Ave., and Pescadero High School at 350 Butano Cutoff, officials said.

Residents are advised to monitor local media for additional information.

UPDATE: The National Weather Service has upgraded a tsunami watch to a tsunami warning for the West Coast including California.

The warning is in effect for coastal areas of California after a reported 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the northeast coast of Japan Thursday night, a National Weather Service official said.

Tsunami warnings mean a "tsunami with significant widespread inundation is imminent or expected. Warnings indicate that widespread dangerous coastal flooding accompanied by powerful currents is possible and may continue to several hours after the initial wave arrival," according to the Weather Service.

Sea levels are expected to rise off the coast of California by less than a foot by 7:30 a.m. in response to the earthquake, Anderson said.

He advised coastal California residents to stay away from the ocean this morning.

-- Bay City News