On Thursday, a tsunami warning was issued for a significant portion of the Northern California coast, creating fear and confusion among residents from the San Francisco Bay Area to Oregon. The warning, prompted by an offshore earthquake, was canceled shortly after being issued, but it led to immediate evacuation efforts as people sought higher ground.
The 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck at 10:44 a.m., over 200 miles north of San Francisco, mitigating its potential to cause devastation in densely populated areas. The National Tsunami Warning Center issued the alert five minutes after the quake, reaching more than five million individuals.
Responses to the tsunami warning varied among city officials. Berkeley mandated evacuations in low-lying areas, while San Francisco advised people to move inland by at least one block. Despite the urgency of the alerts, the city's emergency sirens, which once served as a crucial warning system, were silent due to ongoing upgrades, leaving residents uncertain about the seriousness of the situation.
San Francisco's sirens, which have not been functional since December 2019, were undergoing an upgrade estimated to cost $20 million. The city has prioritized other emergency alert methods, such as targeted text messages and social media communications, over the traditional siren system.
The tsunami warning was significant as it marked the first usage of the Wireless Emergency Alert system in California. Experts noted the challenge of issuing alerts due to the earthquake's proximity to the coast, which did not allow sufficient time for thorough analysis of the potential tsunami's impact.
While some experts criticized the decision to issue the warning in the Bay Area, citing the limited risk due to geographic factors, they acknowledged that areas closer to the epicenter warranted caution. Residents in affected areas experienced panic, with reports of chaotic evacuations and confusion as people reacted to the sudden alert.
Overall, the incident highlighted the complexities of emergency response systems and the ongoing need for effective communication during natural disasters, particularly in a region accustomed to seismic activity.