The Bay Area is under a Tsunami Warning after Japan's 8.9 quake. A Tsunami Warning means that all coastal residents in the warning area who are near the beach or in low-lying regions should move immediately inland to higher ground and away from all harbors and inlets including those sheltered directly from the sea. Those feeling the earth shake, seeing unusual wave action, or the water level rising or receding may have only a few minutes before the tsunami arrival and should move immediately. Homes and small buildings are not designed to withstand tsunami impacts. Do not stay in these structures. (Emphasis mine.)
Japan is reeling. Hawaii is waiting and watching.
Forgive me if I make this All About Me for a moment, but I work in a direct line-of-sight to the Golden Gate and the Pacific Ocean:
It kind of defines "low-lying coastal region near a harbor".
The effects are expected to hit San Francisco at around 8:08 this morning.
Right after I get to work.
Oh, Coyote. I was wondering where you'd snuck off to.
(Local news reports indicate that waves out on the San Francisco coast are likely to only be a foot or two. Previous tsunami advisories and warnings I've experienced have barely produced a ripple in the Bay. You never know, though.)More updates, 05:10: According to the radio, no evacuations for San Fransisco, Marin, or Sonoma counties. The only evacuations are West of Highway 1, which is already The Ocean in most places. They aren't even MENTIONING the East Bay.