Local News
Final Update from the National Tsunami Warning Center: All Clear Issued
UPDATE: As of 11:54 AM PST on Thursday, December 5, 2024, the National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska, has officially canceled the tsunami warning for the coastal areas of California and Oregon.
Key Updates:
- Tsunami Warning Canceled: The threat of a tsunami has been lifted for all affected areas along the U.S. West Coast, including California and Oregon.
- No Observations of Tsunami Activity: No tsunami waves have been observed or reported during this event.
- Safety Recommendations: Residents are advised not to return to hazard zones until clearance is given by local emergency officials. This precaution ensures continued safety as authorities assess the situation.
- No Recorded Impacts: No destructive tsunami waves occurred, and there is no ongoing tsunami danger for the U.S. West Coast, British Columbia, or Alaska.
Authorities continue to monitor conditions, but the immediate threat has passed. Residents and travelers in the affected regions are encouraged to remain vigilant and follow any additional guidance from local officials.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas of California and Oregon after a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Northern California on Thursday, December 5, 2024.
The tsunami warning encompasses coastal regions from Davenport, California, located 10 miles north of Santa Cruz, to the Douglas/Lane Line in Oregon, approximately 10 miles southwest of Florence. This includes a broad stretch of coastline, including the San Francisco Bay Area.
Residents in the affected zones are being urged to immediately move inland to higher ground for safety. Tsunami waves with significant potential for dangerous inundation are either already occurring or could arrive imminently.
The San Francisco Zoo & Gardens has announced its closure in response to the ongoing national weather emergency and the tsunami warning currently in effect.
All guests have been safely evacuated, and the zooโs animals have been secured in accordance with emergency protocols. Additionally, staff members have relocated to higher ground to ensure their safety.
The zoo remains committed to the well-being of its visitors, staff, and animals during this critical situation. Further updates regarding reopening will be provided as conditions stabilize.
Authorities stress that the first wave may not be the largest, and tsunami activity can persist for many hours after the initial wave arrives.
The earthquake occurred at 10:44 AM Pacific Standard Time on December 5, 2024, approximately 45 miles southwest of Eureka, California. It registered a preliminary magnitude of 7.3, prompting swift activation of tsunami protocols.
The NWS has provided estimated arrival times for tsunami waves at key coastal locations:
- Fort Bragg, California: 11:10 AM PST, December 5
- Crescent City, California: 11:22 AM PST, December 5
- Port Orford, Oregon: 11:30 AM PST, December 5
- Brookings, Oregon: 11:36 AM PST, December 5
- Coos Bay, Oregon: 11:44 AM PST, December 5
- San Francisco, California: 12:10 PM PST, December 5
Safety Instructions
Residents in the affected areas should follow these precautions:
- Move to Higher Ground: Immediately evacuate to areas of higher elevation away from the coast.
- Stay Informed: Monitor official communications from the NWS and local emergency management for updates.
- Avoid the Coast: Do not attempt to watch the waves or return to the shore until authorities declare the area safe.
Additional Information
The tsunami warning will remain in effect until further notice. Residents and visitors in the affected regions are encouraged to visit tsunami.gov for the latest updates and detailed guidance.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and emphasize the importance of heeding evacuation orders to protect lives.
Local News
Suspended Dearborn Ford worker Thomas Sabula received more than $320K after Trump flips him off
DEARBORN, Mich. โ A suspended Ford Motor Company employee has become the focus of national attention after a confrontation with former President Donald Trump during a visit to a Dearborn assembly plant, prompting an outpouring of public support that has raised more than $324,000 for his family through an online fundraiser.
The worker, Thomas โTJโ Sabula, a 40-year-old United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 600 member, was placed on suspension pending an internal investigation following an exchange that occurred while Trump was touring the facility.
According to video later obtained and published by TMZ, an off-camera voice can be heard shouting โpedophile protectorโ at the former president, an apparent reference to the administrationโs handling of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
In the footage, Trump appears to mouth an expletive and make a hand gesture before walking away.
The Washington Post subsequently identified Sabula as the individual who made the remark.
In an interview with the newspaper, Sabula confirmed that he was suspended after the incident and said he believes the action amounts to political retaliation.
โAs far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,โ Sabula told The Post. โBut I am concerned about my job. I believe Iโve been targeted for political retribution for embarrassing him in front of his friends.โ
Sabula, who describes himself as politically independent, said he has never voted for Trump, though he has supported Republican candidates in the past.
In the days following the incident, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to assist Sabula and his family during his suspension.
The campaign states that Sabula is โa father of two young children, a husband, and a proud UAW Local 600 line worker,โ and that the funds will be used to help cover household and living expenses โduring this time of uncertainty.โ Donations quickly surged past $100,000, with notable contributions reportedly made by the rock band Dropkick Murphys.
Supporters have characterized Sabulaโs actions as a form of protest and free expression, while others have questioned whether his conduct violated workplace policies.
Ford Motor Company and union representatives have not publicly released details regarding the status of the internal investigation or whether disciplinary action beyond the suspension is being considered.
Following his visit to the Dearborn plant, Trump went on to deliver remarks at the Detroit Economic Club, where he had last spoken in October 2024.
The incident continues to draw attention amid broader political debate, as questions remain about workplace discipline, free speech, and the role of political expression in employment settings.