After the Richter scale 8.8 earthquake in the Russian Far East region, a coastal town in California, known as a “tsunami disaster area”, recorded the highest tsunami wave height in the United States during this event on July 30th. The town suffered losses amounting to $1 million.
Crescent City recorded a tsunami wave height of 4 feet (about 1.2 meters) around 2:40 am on the 30th. This earthquake triggered tsunami warnings across the North Pacific region, covering from Alaska to New Zealand. The port of Crescent City reported losses of up to $1 million, as a pier suffered severe damage during the tsunami.
The floating concrete deck of the pier was lifted by powerful waves, stuck on the piles and submerged by seawater, eventually causing concrete cracks, bending of steel reinforcements, rendering it unusable. Port Executive Director and Harbormaster Mike Rademaker mentioned that drinking water pipes and multiple large-diameter fire pipes at multiple piers were torn by the waves. Other areas of the port’s power, water supply, and fire systems also sustained damages.
Rademaker stated in an email to Epoch Times on August 1st: “Due to the murky seawater and the need for detailed underwater inspections, it is currently difficult to fully assess the extent of the damage.” The Harbormaster explained that the initial cost of repairs is estimated based on structural damage, environmental permit requirements, and the complexity of underwater repairs.
In his statement on August 1st, he pointed out: “The harbor district is actively cooperating with local, state, and federal agencies to secure resources for post-disaster reconstruction and ensure the safe restoration of affected infrastructure.”
Following the event, no drifting, loose, or damaged vessels were found. Port officials indicated that during multiple surges of seawater, several fishing boats attempted to return to the port. However, due to safety considerations, the U.S. Coast Guard refused their return.
Additionally, the tsunami also caused significant silt and debris deposits within the port. Preliminary reports show that the fairway and vessel berths were also affected. Rademaker added that dredging is expected to be necessary to restore the original water depth and ensure the port’s navigability.
Compared to the damage caused by recent waves in Crescent City, it is far less severe than the devastation of the 1964 tsunami. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, on March 27, 1964, a Richter scale 9.2 earthquake off the coast of Alaska generated waves as high as 20 feet (about 6 meters) along the Crescent City coast, submerging 29 city blocks and resulting in 12 fatalities.
Another tsunami in 2011 caused $50 million in damages to the port. Many port facilities were subsequently rebuilt according to modern tsunami resistance standards.
Crescent City is located about 20 miles south of the Oregon border. According to statistics from the Tsunami Research Center at the University of Southern California, the city has experienced at least 32 tsunamis since 1933.
The Emergency Services Office of Del Norte County, responsible for Crescent City, expressed deep gratitude for the community safely passing through this disaster. The department posted on Facebook on July 31: “Over the past few days, we have faced the tsunami event together, witnessing the amazing strength, unity, and resilience of the Del Norte County community. We always support each other in difficult times. Well done, Del Norte!”
Official reports indicate that there were no casualties in Crescent City due to the tsunami on July 30.
In other regions of the Pacific, tsunami waves arrived on the evening of July 29 at local time, reaching Hawaii, with 4-foot (1.2-meter) high waves observed at Haleiwa on the northwest coast of Oahu and Kahului Beach in Maui. This was the highest recorded tsunami wave observed in the open waters of Midway Atoll in the North Pacific.