Um morto confirmado na Califórnia
Waves sweep 4 out to sea in Crescent City as tsunami surges reach west coast
CRESCENT CITY, CA (AP) - Officials say the tsunami triggered by the massive earthquake in Japan has killed one person, swept three others out to sea and caused severe damage to the harbor in Crescent City, near the Oregon border.
SLIDESHOW: Quake, tsunami damage
ABC affiliate KDRV confirmed the waves pulled the four out to sea late Friday morning. Two of the other people were found alive and one was still unaccounted for.
Del Norte County sheriff's spokesman Bill Stevens said most boats were pulled out of the harbor in preparation for Friday's tsunami, but 35 vessels that remained are crashing into one another and sinking.
The wooden docks also were breaking apart under the force of the waves.
Crescent City Councilwoman Kelly Schellong said the docks and harbor "are pretty much completely destroyed."
Stevens said the damage cost was estimated to be into the millions, and surges still are expected through the afternoon.
However, the waves have not gone over the 20-foot break wall at the harbor, and no serious injuries or home damage have been reported.
Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz region experienced several surges in the harbor Friday morning following tsunami warnings that sucked some boats right out of the harbor.
The California Highway Patrol also issued several advisories regarding road closures in the area including Beach Drive and portions of Riverside. Also Highway 1 in Mendocino County 7 miles outside of Westport was closed.
The CHP also said there was some traffic congestion on southbound Highway 17 near Santa Cruz.
Gas stations in the area were reportedly jammed. Officials urged people to stay away from the shoreline. The Seaside State Park was also evacuated.
Ft. Bragg
Noyo harbor at Ft. Bragg on the Mendocino coast was evacuated Friday morning, according to local emergency officials. No damage had been reported.
Water was receding out of the harbor and surging back in stronger, said Shannon Barney, emergency coordinator for Mendocino. The increased wave activity was expected to continue for several hours and officials were warning residents a tsunami threat was still in effect.
The Associated Press and News10/KXTV
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