While a threat of flooding had subsided Wednesday morning for Southern California following a magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, officials still warned the public to avoid strong tsunami-related currents in coastal areas from Los Angeles County and as far north as San Luis Obispo County.
A few hours later on Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather service cancelled all tsunami-related warnings.
“However, tidal fluctuations and enhanced currents will continue for the next few days,” according to an NWS statement. “While the tsunami is expected to remain below advisory criteria, strong currents will pose a risk for ocean swimmers.
“If you are located in this coastal area, check in with local lifeguards before entering the water,” officials advised the public. “Be alert to instructions from your local emergency officials.”
The initial tsunami advisory was at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday following the earthquake. Possible tsunami activity had been anticipated to start early Wednesday at the LA Harbor, according to the U.S. Tsunami Warning Centers.
The tsunami generated by the quake off Russia turned out to be weaker than originally expected in Los Angeles County waters, according to a later NWS update. Officials issue an advisory after determining the tsunami has the potential to generate strong currents or waves imminently hazardous to those in or very close to ocean water, according to the center.
The NWS warning applied to beaches in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, including beaches in the cities of Arroyo Grande, Avila Beach, Cambria, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, Lompoc, Vandenberg Space Force Base,
El Capitan State Beach, Gaviota, Jalama Beach, Refugio State Beach, Carpinteria, Goleta, Montecito and Santa Barbara.
“Surging water in and out of harbors can cause boats and docks to detach from structures. Port San Luis including Avila Beach will be of particular concern for these impacts,” the NWS warned Wednesday morning.
The tsunami advisory was also in effect for Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands, Ventura County Beaches, the Malibu coast and LA County beaches, including in Avalon, Oxnard, Point Mugu, Port Hueneme, Ventura, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, LAX, Long Beach, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica and Torrance, according to the NWS.
The city of LA’s Emergency Operations Center and Port of Los Angeles police were on alert, and LA Fire Department battalions in coastal locations were also keeping an eye on the situation and were ready to deploy vessels in the harbor, according to Mayor Karen Bass’ office.
Even though evacuations appeared unlikely, officials said emergency responders and buses were on standby to assist with any evacuation orders.
The quake struck Tuesday at about 4:25 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time. Aftershocks of magnitudes 6.9 and 6.3 occurred within an hour of the original temblor, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.
More serious tsunami warnings were issued for Hawaii and the coast of Alaska following the quake, but no damage or injuries were reported.
Beaches were closed in several Southland communities in the wake of a tsunami advisory issued for California coastal communities following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula.
These include beaches in Long Beach, Marina del Rey and Laguna Beach, all of which were closed overnight. On Wednesday morning, the following closures that have since been lifted were in effect for the Los Angeles County coastline, Long Beach, Marina del Rey, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach and the Seal Beach pier and city beaches.
In addition, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued warnings Wednesday for the following locations:
- Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove: 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier;
- Strand Street extension at Santa Monica Beach: 100 yards up and down the coast from Lifeguard Tower No. 24;
- Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu: 100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon;
- Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach: 100 yards up and down the coast from the public access step;
- Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica: 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier; and
- Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach: 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.
Updated information is available from 800-525-5662 or PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/beach.
During the closures, the public is advised to stay out of ocean waters and away from beaches and waterways.
Updated July 31, 2025, 8:42 a.m.
