Tsunami activity in the Ventura Harbor and Ventura Keys

There were over 20 homes in the Keys with damage to their docks/ramps. Photos by Patricia Schallert, Russ Jenkins and Sheilla Leiman

An undersea volcano erupted in spectacular fashion near the Pacific nation of Tonga, sending large tsunami waves crashing across the globe. Harbor Patrol Rescue Boat 17, docked at the time, was inundated with an outgoing surge, capsized and sunk in the Pierpont Basin.

From the Ventura Fire Department

“On the above date (Jan. 15) and time, a call was received by the on-duty Fire Battalion Chief of extreme tidal activity in the Ventura Harbor and the Ventura Keys. Fire personnel arrived on scene within minutes of the initial call and upon assessment of the harbor area, it was determined that the extreme high and low tidal surges were a result of seismic activity in the Tonga region of the South Pacific. Emergency personnel from various agencies assessed the area and found that numerous docks and boats were damaged because of the extreme tidal surges. The surge activity lasted several hours, and emergency personnel rescued numerous boats and docks that had broken loose during this incident.”

“At the time of this media release, no injuries to emergency personnel have been reported. The Ventura City Fire Department would like to remind the public to review the Ventura City Tsunami evacuation plan and be familiar with evacuation routes.”