The area subject to the tsunami advisory Saturday included the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Admiralty Inlet, Whidbey Island and Camano Island. People along other coastal areas of Puget Sound were advised to stay away from the water. The advisory was lifted at 4:30 p.m. (U.S. Tsunami Warning System)

The area subject to the tsunami advisory Saturday included the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Admiralty Inlet, Whidbey Island and Camano Island. People along other coastal areas of Puget Sound were advised to stay away from the water. The advisory was lifted at 4:30 p.m. (U.S. Tsunami Warning System)

Tsunami advisory for nearby waters lifted after 12 hours

Officials in Snohomish County encouraged people to stay away from the shoreline during much of Saturday.

Herald staff and Associated Press

EVERETT — Areas of the inland waters including Whidbey Island were under a tsunami advisory much of Saturday after a volcano erupted near Tonga in the Pacific Ocean. The advisory, which first went into effect around 4:30 a.m., was cancelled at 4:30 p.m.

The advisory included Whidbey, Camano and the San Juan islands and areas to the west — Admiralty Inlet, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and along the Olympic Peninsula coast.

As of late Saturday afternoon, there were no reports of damage in Washington from waves that were expected to be from 1 to 3 feet.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The Snohomish County shoreline wasn’t part of the tsunami advisory, but local officials all day urged caution. “We’re still encouraging people to stay clear of the beaches and waterfront areas for a few more hours,” Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management spokesperson Scott North said around 4 p.m.

Snohomish County Parks and Recreation closed Meadowdale Beach, Picnic Point and Kayak Point County Parks while the advisory was in effect. In Edmonds, city officials closed piers and beaches as a precaution.

North said the biggest concern heading into Saturday evening was the potential for strong currents that are difficult to see.

The Port of Everett Marina didn’t close but sent alerts to customers about the tsunami advisory.

California was still under a tsunami advisory Saturday evening.

Tsunami advisories mean that a tsunami capable of producing dangerously strong currents or waves is expected or is already occurring. Tsunamis are a series of waves dangerous many hours after initial arrival time, the weather service said.

The advisory was triggered after an undersea volcano erupted in spectacular fashion Saturday near the Pacific nation of Tonga, sending tsunami waves crashing across the shore and people rushing to higher ground. The tsunami advisory was issued for Hawaii, Alaska and the mainland U.S. Pacific coast.

In Hawaii, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported waves that measured 1.6 feet in Nawiliwili, Kauai, and 2.7 feet Hanalei.

On California’s central coast, the National Weather Service reported tsunami waves up to 4 feet and flooding in beach parking lots at Port San Luis.

The explosion of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcano was the latest in a series of dramatic eruptions. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated the eruption caused the equivalent of magnitude 5.8 earthquake. Scientists said tsunamis generated by volcanoes rather than earthquakes are relatively rare.

Herald writer Katie Hayes contributed: katie.hayes@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @misskatiehayes.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen goes through an informational slideshow about the current budget situation in Edmonds during a roundtable event at the Edmonds Waterfront Center on Monday, April 7, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor recommends $19M levy lid lift for November

The city’s biennial budget assumed a $6 million levy lid lift. The final levy amount is up to the City Council.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

A firefighting helicopter carries a bucket of water from a nearby river to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Snohomish County property owners can prepare for wildfire season

Clean your roofs, gutters and flammable material while completing a 5-foot-buffer around your house.

(City of Everett)
Everett’s possible new stadium has a possible price tag

City staff said a stadium could be built for $82 million, lower than previous estimates. Bonds and private investment would pay for most of it.

Jennifer Humelo, right, hugs Art Cass outside of Full Life Care Snohomish County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘I’ll lose everything’: Snohomish County’s only adult day health center to close

Full Life Care in Everett, which supports adults with disabilities, will shut its doors July 19 due to state funding challenges.

The age of bridge 503 that spans Swamp Creek can be seen in its timber supports and metal pipes on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. The bridge is set to be replaced by the county in 2025. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Snohomish County report: 10 bridges set for repairs, replacement

An annual report the county released May 22 details the condition of local bridges and future maintenance they may require.

The Edmonds City Council gathers to discuss annexing into South County Fire on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Community group presents vision for Edmonds’ fiscal future

Members from Keep Edmonds Vibrant suggested the council focus on revenue generation and a levy lid lift to address its budget crisis.

Bar manager Faith Britton pours a beer for a customer at the Madison Avenue Pub in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Burgers, brews and blues: Madison Avenue Pub has it all

Enjoy half-price burgers on Tuesday, prime rib specials and live music at the Everett mainstay.

WSU and Providence partner for Everett fellowship program

Two fellows per year will train at intensive care units in Providence Regional Medical Center Everett starting in 2026.

Ian Terry / The Herald

Rose Freeman (center) and Anastasia Allison play atop Sauk Mountain near Concrete on Thursday, Oct. 5. The pair play violin and piano together at sunrise across the Cascades under the name, The Musical Mountaineers.

Photo taken on 10052017
Adopt A Stream Foundation hosts summer concert on June 14

The concert is part of the nonprofit’s effort to raise $1.5 million for a new Sustainable Ecosystem Lab.

Izaac Escalante-Alvarez unpacks a new milling machine at the new Boeing machinists union’s apprentice training center on Friday, June 6, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists union training center opens in Everett

The new center aims to give workers an inside track at Boeing jobs.

Edie Carroll trims plants at Baker's Acres Nursery during Sorticulture on Friday, June 6, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sorticulture, Everett’s garden festival, is in full swing

The festival will go through Sunday evening and has over 120 local and regional vendors.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.