Tsunami Hits Santa Cruz Harbor

Boats have been floating upside down in Santa Cruz after the tsunami waves hit the docks (/latimesblogs.latimes.com)

The big tsunami that hit Japan after the 8.8 earthquake caused trouble in Santa Cruz too.

The tsunami warning that was given by officials yesterday morning did not stop people from trying some major schemes on their surf boards or to just sit on the beach and take pictures of the huge waves that were coming towards the shore. After the huge loss Japan is seeing in matters of people, the United States is also preparing to count its bodies. After the tsunami waves hit Santa Cruz harbor docks, at least five people have been reported missing. Most of them were either on their boats or on the beach, taking pictures.

According to the Associated Press, there were 5 people who were swept out to sea while they were immortalizing the tsunami waves, 4 others were rescued in southern Oregon, while 1 person was still missing yesterday afternoon, after he had been carried away on sea by the waves. According to the Coast Guard, the man has slim chances of living, given the cold, rough ocean. Moreover, these people were not the only ones taken away by the waves, as three more were swept out to sea while they were taking pictures, but two of them were able to get back safely to shore. On a beach near Brookings happened the same thing, four people being taken away by the waves. Still, they got back to shore safe and sound.

However, in what concerns property damage, we are looking at about $14 million in damages, as more than 30 boats broke free and most of them were highly damaged, if not lost completely. Significant damage was also reported in Crescent City, where 35 boats were crashed. In Santa Cruz, the biggest damages were centralized at one of the docks, called U dock, where everything was completely destroyed. “The dock, it looked like an explosion,” said Michael Sack, co-owner of Sanctuary Cruises. “The dock just blew up. It buckled and it splintered.” Moreover, Sack went on saying that bigger boats, which were on water at the moment the waves hit, have not been damaged. Still, the $14 million damages are split between $10 million in matters of infrastructure and $4 million in matters of private property, mostly boats.

Although tsunami warnings have been drawn all morning yesterday, some people couldn’t keep away from the waves that were coming, especially surfers, who got their boards and darted off straight into the ocean, while others were trying to get as far away from the tsunami waves as possible.

The overall incidents have accentuated the grief for Japan, who is now struggling with the forces of nature, which seem to be unstoppable. The whole world is trying to get some help in Japan, which has lost thousands of its people. For those who want to help, you can donate at 800-733-2767, www.redcross.org or you can even text REDCROSS to 90999, a $10 donation. Or you can text JAPAN to 20222 to donate $10 or call 800-728-3843 during business hours or go to www.savethechildren.org/japanquake. Another option is by calling 800-725-2769 or going the Web site at www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org or you can even call 800-481-4462 or go to the Web site at http://internationalmedicalcorps.org.11