Update: Initial tsunami waves begin hitting California coast

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A Tsunami Advisory remains in place for most of coastal California, including locations adjacent to the San Francisco Bay in Solano County.

The first tsunami waves began reaching the coast of California early Wednesday morning around 12:40 a.m., according to buoy data from the National Weather Service.

The waves were recorded about three hours after the tsunami impacted the Hawaiian Islands, where waves as high as five feet were recorded in some locations.

A portion of coastal California immediately south of the Oregon border were under a Tsunami Watch, with forecasters warning of waves as high as five feet. In Crescent City, local officials warned that the initial waves could be low, and that the event is likely to last several hours.

Shortly after tsunami waves were recorded in Crescent City, similar ocean-level fluctuations were observed by buoys in Point Reyes north of San Francisco and in Monterey.

Closer to home, forecasters say waves less than one foot are expected in coastal areas of Solano County. A Tsunami Advisory remains in effect through Wednesday morning, with Vallejo, Benicia and Rio Vista among the covered areas.

During a Tsunami Advisory, people are urged to stay away from beaches and shores. Locally, residents were urged not to travel to areas located adjacent to the San Francisco Bay, the Suisun Bay, Ryer Island, Browns Island and the area near Sherman Island.

Inland flooding is not expected, but shorelines could be inundated with significant amounts of water, and dangerous riptides are likely to occur.