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CAMP MURRAY, Wash. » A Washington state emergency management spokesman says two coastal counties are working on limited evacuations in advance of a tsunami expected after a massive earthquake in Japan.
In southwest Washington’s Pacific County, Sheriff Scott Johnson says the county has activated its reverse 911 system, calling residents on the coast and in low-lying areas and asking them to stay calm but evacuate. He says an orderly evacuation is happening in Long Beach, Ilwaco and Ocean Park.
Johnson sheriff says buses are ready to pick up nursing home residents if needed.
State spokesman Rob Harper says the highest waves are expected on the central coast around Moclips at about 3 feet. Harper says Grays Harbor County is considering limited evacuations around Pacific Beach and Iron Beach.
In Moclips, Wash., Sheriff’s deputies and firefighters in Washington’s Grays Harbor County are knocking on doors in low-lying areas of the small coastal community of Moclips, handing out tsunami warning fliers and urging residents to evacuate.
The road to the beach in Moclips is blocked off with yellow tape.
The flier warns “This is not a drill,” adding that an initial tsunami wave of around 3 feet is forecast for the area Friday morning after a massive earthquake in Japan. And the flier adds, “Following waves are expected to be larger.”
In Pacific County, the sheriff says an orderly evacuation is happening in Long Beach, Ilwaco and Ocean Park.
