Update: Tsunami advisory affecting Oregon early Wednesday morning

The National Weather Service issued a revised tsunami alert on Wednesday at 4:19 a.m. that will be in force until 5:49 a.m. for the coasts of South Central Oregon, Curry County, Central Oregon, Clatsop County, and Tillamook County.

“Avoid docks and marinas and stay off the beach if you’re in this coastal region. Tsunami advisories indicate that a tsunami is either imminent or already happening and has the potential to create powerful currents or waves that could endanger anyone in or very close to the water. Widespread flooding is not to be expected in the advisory areas. Many hours after they first appear, a sequence of waves known as a tsunami can be dangerous. Perhaps the initial wave isn’t the biggest. The weather service reports that an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 8.8 struck 80 miles southeast of Petropavlovsk Kamchatka on July 29 at 4:25 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time.

Navigating tsunami alerts: What each level means

The best defense against tsunami alerts is information. Four levels, each representing a varying level of risk, are used by the weather service to classify tsunami alerts:

Tsunami warning: Urgent action is necessary

A tsunami that could result in extensive flooding is either imminent or already happening. Powerful currents and dangerous coastal flooding might persist for hours or days after the initial arrival. Observe the directives of local authorities. It is advised to evacuate. Go inland (away from the water) or to high ground.

Warning about tsunamis: Be careful

A tsunami is anticipated or is already happening, with the potential for powerful currents or waves that could endanger anyone in or very close to the water. The harbor and beach areas might flood. Avoid the water and stay away from waterways and beaches. Observe the directives of local authorities.

Watch for tsunamis: Be ready

When there is a chance of a tsunami following a distant earthquake, a tsunami watch is issued. Residents in the impacted areas are encouraged to keep checking back for more information and to be prepared to act if necessary. Being ready is crucial, even while the threat is not imminent.

Information on tsunamis: No immediate threat

There was an earthquake, but it was either far distant and the harm was unknown, or there is no concern at all. Generally speaking, there is no risk of a catastrophic tsunami.

Understanding natural signals is crucial because official tsunami warnings may not always arrive in time. A tsunami may follow if you are near the coast and experience a powerful or protracted earthquake, witness a sharp rise or fall in the ocean, or hear a loud roar from the ocean. This is a warning to you. Act now and relocate to a secure area. Don’t wait for formal directives.

United Robots offers a service called Advance Local Weather Alerts that gathers the most recent information from the National Weather Service using machine learning.