CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

Wondering Why the AlertOC Call Came AFTER the Tsunami Passed Through Newport?

Corona del Mar residents who were watching the news on Saturday morning knew that the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center had issued an advisory for the California coast.

So did Newport Beach emergency workers.

Why, then, did the city’s telephone warning go out to residents after the tsunami passed?

City Manager Dave Kiff explained that he along with police, fire and lifeguard crews, plus public works and general services employees all were monitoring the tsunami advisory for six hours beginning early Saturday morning, shortly after the 8.8 earthquake struck Chile. City employees also were in communication with Harbor Patrol and other county emergency workers, Kiff said.

The initial advisory was that the swell in Newport Beach would be up to 2.5′ — fairly small — and would arrive at 12:12 p.m. Staff continued to monitor the swell as it moved up the coast from Central America toward California, Kiff said.

“From that data, nothing led them to believe anything large was coming toward Newport Beach, and it was determined that an AlertOC activation was not needed,” Kiff said. “As a precautionary measure, however, the City had spotters on high ground as well as at our Lifeguard Headquarters. Police Officers cleared the beach and were standing by at evacuation sites.”

After the surge time passed with just a 4- to 6-inch surge, staff thought the city was in the clear, he said.

Then, Kiff said, shortly after 1 p.m. the city received information from the Harbor Patrol that the U.S. Coast Guard advised that a six-plus-foot wave could be imminent in the Long Beach to Los Angeles area, and that Harbor Patrol was evacuating their headquarters.

“Based on this new information, the City decided to activate the AlertOC System (not taking time to verify its accuracy given the potential danger) and an alert was sent to everyone in the designated areas,” Kiff said. “We also pulled in personnel from other duties to staff a phone bank in case community members needed more information.”

Later Saturday afternoon, the city was notified that the report of the 6-foot wave was incorrect and likely intended for Hawaii, Kiff said.

“By that time, though, we had issued the alert to our community,” Kiff said. “I understand that the calls received from residents were appreciative and positive.”

Kiff said in spite of the misinformation, the decision to issue the alert was correct.

“At all times our staff (and the other agencies involved), acted with the safety of the city and our residents in mind,” he said. “However, I can completely understand why someone following the same news we did (NOAA and television and the Internet) would have said, ‘Wait, it was due at 12:12 p.m. and I got a call after 1 p.m.? What’s up with that?’ Indeed, it’s probably a case of the right actions but based on the wrong information – and a predisposition towards being safe first.”

The message that was emailed and delivered by phone to residents said: “This is the Newport Beach Police Department with an informational message advising a large off-shore earthquake occurred at 3:34 a.m. in Santiago, Chile. An earthquake of this size may cause a Tsunami that could produce 6 to 8 ft surges along the coastline in our city. Orange County and coastal city officials are ordering all persons in Orange County low-lying coastal areas to take immediate action. Stay off the beaches; out of the water and marina areas. We are not advising of any evacuations at this time. Please stay tuned to local radio or television stations for more information. Please only dial 911 if you are reporting a life or death emergency. Thank you.”

Read our coverage of the tsunami advisory here, here, here and here.