Tsunami warning downgraded to advisory for Homer, Anchor Point, Seward

Earthquake of 8.1 near Perryville prompted initial warning.

Update at 12:45 a.m. Thursday: The Kenai Peninsula Borough has issued an all clear for all Kenai Peninsula coastal communities. The tsunami warning has been updated to an advisory status for coastal communities of the Kenai Peninsula.

“The sirens will sound ‘all clear,’ allowing citizens to return home. An advisory means strong waves or currents may be dangerous to persons in or near the water,” the notice said.

A tsunami warning was issued late Wednesday for Homer, the Kachemak Bay area and lower Cook Inlet south of and including Anchor Point. People should evacuate low lying areas immediately. The warning affects Seward and the Resurrection Bay area. The central Kenai Peninsula is not in the warning zone.

The tsunami warning followed an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 8.2 at 10:15 p.m. Thursday 91 km east-southeast of Perryville, Alaska.

The warning was issued at about 10:45 p.m by the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management. Wave arrival times are estimated 1:15 a.m. for Homer and Kachemak Bay communities. Wave arrival times are estimated at 12:20 a.m. for Seward and Resurrection Bay communities, according to KPB Alerts.

People should evacuate to Homer High School or higher ground. The tsunami danger zone generally runs below 50 feet in elevation. For exact locations, visit https://www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/emergency-information/be-tsunami-aware-be-tsunami-prepared-know-homers-evacuation-routes-and-safe.

As of 12:15 a.m., the National Tsunami Warning center reported a 15cm wave measured at Sand Point and a 21cm wave measured at Old Harbor, with no reports of damage so far.

HOMER

SEWARD

Lowell Point residents are advised to move to Seward High or the Tonsina trailhead. The Lowell Point Community Center is NOT safe, as it is located inside the tsunami inundation zone. The shelter at Seward High School is open, as are gates at Lowell Canyon for vehicle evacuation. The public information line for the city’s emergency operations center is 907-224-4015.

SELDOVIA

People should evacuate to Susan B. English School. According to the city’s Facebook page, people are encourage to wear masks and keep pets in vehicles.

This is a developing story.