The National Weather Service had issued a tsunami advisory for the entire West Coast today after a series of earthquakes struck off the coast of Chile overnight, the highest being an 8.8 magnitude quake [SFAppeal].
Like a typical San Franciscan, I completely ignored the warning and headed straight to Ocean Beach to see what would happen at 1:20pm, the projected time for wave touchdown.
There were several hundred people out at Ocean Beach, a couple hundred down on the beach itself. There was a lot of churning surf and really large waves breaking way offshore. A Coast Guard helicopter kept watch overhead.
I stood with two other gawkers who have surfed Ocean Beach. They said they felt confident they could make the sprint back to the Great Highway if they saw a super large set breaking offshore (hmm, ok). As you’ll see from the pictures, joggers, walkers and dog owners were undeterred by the warning as well.
On the way back to my car, I heard a Sheriff’s officer remarking that it was much heavier surf than normal. Though he was holding yet-to-be-posted “TSUNAMI ADVISORY” flyers in his hand.
Sarah B.
Click here to see the full day’s worth of waves in a timelapse video (rainbow at the :30 mark)
A view from Sutro Park from Twitter member and RichmondSFblog reader GeekandDestroy:
Yikes! Tempting fate! There was no southern exposure so odds were low, still.. If you must be near the beach at that time take the high ground , look for the Blue evacuation route signs that are posted! If you look at the inundation map actually a lot of the Sunset is at risk. As for the surfer dudes, I have never seen one that can travel at the average wave speed of 500 miles per hour. I guess people on the beach have good insurance and willing heirs. Puleeeesse stay a bit safer, I’d have to jump in and swim after you and I look crummy in my speedo!
Very good points David. Please be safe Sarah.
In addition, if the wave overwhelms you, you could be dragged out to sea as the wave recedes with great force and speed.
The following is from NOAA’s list of Tsunami Safety Rules
http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/about/safety.php
“Never go down to the beach to watch for a tsunami!
WHEN YOU CAN SEE THE WAVE YOU ARE TOO CLOSE TO ESCAPE.
Tsunamis can move faster than a person can run! “
Anyone stupid enough to stand on the beach and watch a tidal wave come in deserves what fate will follow. It’s called Darwinism.