Ventura Harbor Tsunami Event

1. Ventura Harbor Tsunami Event February 27, 2010

2. At 10:34 PM Pacific Standard Time on February 26, an earthquake with preliminary magnitude 8.8 occurred near the coast of central Chile To: U.S. West Coast, Alaska, and British Columbia coastal regions From: NOAA/NWS/West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center Subject: Tsunami Information Statement #4 issued 02/27/2010 at 1:58AM PST A strong earthquake has occurred, but a tsunami IS NOT expected along the California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, or Alaska coast. NO tsunami warning, watch or advisory is in effect for these areas. To: U.S. West Coast, Alaska, and British Columbia coastal regions From: NOAA/NWS/West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center Subject: Tsunami Advisory #5 issued 02/27/2010 at 2:55AM PST A Tsunami Advisory is in effect which includes the coastal areas of California from the California-Mexico border to the Oregon-California border. A Tsunami Advisory is in effect which includes the coastal areas of Alaska. A Tsunami Advisory means that a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near the water is imminent or expected. Significant, widespread inundation is not expected for areas under an advisory. Currents may be hazardous to swimmers, boats, and coastal structures and may continue for several hours after the initial wave arrival.

3. Tsunami Information Statements Tsunami Warning - a tsunami warning is issued when a potential tsunami with significant widespread inundation is imminent or expected. Warnings alert the public that widespread, dangerous coastal flooding accompanied by powerful currents is possible and may continue for several hours after arrival of the initial wave. Warnings also alert emergency management officials to take action for the entire tsunami hazard zone. Appropriate actions to be taken by local officials may include the evacuation of low-lying coastal areas, and the repositioning of ships to deep waters when there is time to safely do so. Warnings may be updated, adjusted geographically, downgraded, or canceled. To provide the earliest possible alert, initial warnings are normally based only on seismic information. Tsunami Advisory - a tsunami advisory is issued due to the threat of a potential tsunami which may produce strong currents or waves dangerous to those in or near the water. Coastal regions historically prone to damage due to strong currents induced by tsunamis are at the greatest risk. The threat may continue for several hours after the arrival of the initial wave, but significant widespread inundation is not expected for areas under an advisory. Appropriate actions to be taken by local officials may include closing beaches, evacuating harbors and marinas, and the repositioning of ships to deep waters when there is time to safely do so. Advisories are normally updated to continue the advisory, expand/contract affected areas, upgrade to a warning, or cancel the advisory. Tsunami Watch - a tsunami watch is issued to alert emergency management officials and the public of an event which may later impact the watch area. The watch area may be upgraded to a warning or advisory - or canceled - based on updated information and analysis. Therefore, emergency management officials and the public should prepare to take action. Watches are normally issued based on seismic information without confirmation that a destructive tsunami is underway. tsunami information statement is issued to inform emergency management officials and the public that an earthquake has occurred, or that a tsunami warning, watch or advisory has been issued for another section of the ocean. In most cases, information statements are issued to indicate there is no threat of a destructive tsunami and to prevent unnecessary evacuations as the earthquake may have been felt in coastal areas. An information statement may, in appropriate situations, caution about the possibility of destructive local tsunamis. Information statements may be re-issued with additional information, though normally these messages are not updatedtsunami information statement is issued to inform emergency management officials and the public that an earthquake has occurred, or that a tsunami warning, watch or advisory has been issued for another section of the ocean. In most cases, information statements are issued to indicate there is no threat of a destructive tsunami and to prevent unnecessary evacuations as the earthquake may have been felt in coastal areas. An information statement may, in appropriate situations, caution about the possibility of destructive local tsunamis. Information statements may be re-issued with additional information, though normally these messages are not updated

4. California 13 to 13.5 hours or 12:30 pmCalifornia 13 to 13.5 hours or 12:30 pm

5. Estimated Travel TimesCalifornia 1.5 Hours Before Hawaii(Not reflected in National News)

6. Harbor and Keys

7. Ventura Harbor Timeline (6:30) Harbor Patrol made local notifications which included the City Police/Fire HQ (7:30) Harbor Patrol made face to face contacts with Marina�s and passed on Tsunami Advisory Definition. (8:00) Local Marina Initiates CERT. Prepares Marina/Boats (9:30) Ventura PD Utilizes CODE RED �Tsunami Advisory Definition� (9:45) Contacted USCG Los Angeles (10:00) Made Contact with Ventura County OES On Call (10:30) Contacted National Weather Service & Discussed Predicted Event/Local Impact (10:45) Determined NO VESSELS SHOULD EVACUATE HARBOR (11:20) Contacted State Parks (11:35) Received call from Gaviota State Parks Peace Officer Looking For Info (12:10) Receive Unofficial Call From Employee Reporting Series of 7� Waves In SD (12:20) Establish Local Marine Channel 17 As Operations/Public Information (12:50) First Inbound Tsunami Surge (Roughly 5 minutes In/Out) (1:20-4:00) Multiple Surge Events. 3rd & 4th appeared to be the strongest (1:20-3:30) Providing Escorts To Inbound Boaters (3:30-7:00) Responding to Broken Docks & Towing Vessels

8. Predicted Tides 7:55 a.m. 6.3 2:45 p.m. -1.3

9. Ventura Keys

10. First Channel (2 Docks Damaged)

11. Middle Channel

12. 21 Ramps Rolled Off Docks

13. Middle Channel

14. Ramp Rolled Off Docks(May be prevented with modifications to the base plate)

15. Docks Broke LooseOther possible causes: lack of maintenance & age of docks

16. Temporary Repair

17. Other Damage

18. Other Damage

19. Dock and Boat Resecured

20. Dock Sections Towed

21. Estimated Damage Approximately 21 Docks Were Affected In The Ventura Keys. Several Other Issues Were Noted Within The Main Harbor. Estimated Damage $150k Estimated Dredging Cost Savings $100k No Injuries, No Major Damage To Vessels

22. Lessons Learned Any potential event should be taken seriously Aggressively Seek Information From NOAA/USCG/OES Use The Time Prior To Event To Plan & Request Resources Determine Predicted Weather & Tides Share Information With Similar Small Agencies Simplify Public Information For Maximum Effect Discourage Sending Recreational Boats To Sea

23. Harbor and Keys