Wednesday, July 30
@ 11:40 a.m.
The tsunami advisory for the San Francisco Bay Area has been canceled. While there is no longer a tsunami threat to the area, residents and visitors are urged to remain cautious, as strong currents and hazardous water conditions may still persist along the coast, in harbors, and in bays.
Beachgoers are advised to exercise caution and stay out of the water until conditions stabilize.
@ 9 a.m.
The tsunami advisory for the west coast is still in place so avoid shorelines until the advisory is lifted.
Tuesday, July 29
@9:50 p.m.
No change to the tsunami advisory. The arrival time for any waves would be about midnight for the San Francisco Bay Area, but the waves are projected to be less than a foot. The advisory area is along the Bay Area shorelines. The Lab continues to operate as normal and there is no change to building access.
@ 6:55 p.m.
There is a tsunami advisory for the west coast of California due to an 8.8 earthquake off the Russian coast earlier Tuesday. The National Tsunami Warning Center is continuing to evaluate the threat. The arrival time for any waves would be about midnight for the San Francisco Bay Area, but the waves are projected to be less than a foot. The advisory area is along the Bay Area shorelines.
The Lab is sending a specific alert message only to those who have badge access to Emeryville Station and JBEI, which are both located on the edge of the tsunami inundation zone. The Lab continues to operate as normal and there is no change to building access
Alaska and Hawaii coastlines are under a tsunami watch.
The Lab encompasses 202 acres of steep terrain and dense vegetation, which is subject to wildfire threat. Wildfires can move quickly, and you may have little time to prepare. There are several steps you can take to be prepared for a wildfire near or at the Lab
Be prepared for any emergency by signing up for LabAlert, the Lab’s system of emergency communications. In the event of a nearby wildfire, messages from LabAlert will keep you informed.
Prepare a go bag with items you would need in an emergency, such as walking shoes, spare glasses, and personal medication.
Follow the instructions in the LabAlert. To prepare for evacuation, gather your phone, wallet, keys, badge, and go bag.
Given enough time, evacuation is the preferred response. Limited exits from the Lab and traffic congestion on site and on neighboring streets can make it difficult to evacuate by personal vehicle. This may block access for first responders, creating unsafe conditions.
These wildfire refuge buildings are built with concrete, metal, and other noncombustible materials. Vegetation management is prioritized for these buildings to create defensible space around the exterior. Wildfire refuge buildings are structurally hardened and maintained to resist wildfire.
It is important that you know the location of several Wildfire Temporary Refuge Buildings. Once inside a Wildfire Temporary Refuge Building, move to the interior away from windows. It may be hot and smoky outside, which can activate the building’s fire alarm system, but it is much safer inside a wildfire refuge building than being outside or in your personal vehicle. Emergency responders will be monitoring the area. It is crucial to remain calm. Do not exit the building until first responders give the all clear or you receive a LabAlert notification that it is safe to leave. Conditions outside could be hazardous even after the fire passes; take care as objects may be hot, trees may be down, and the air quality is often poor.
Become familiar with several of the Wildfire Temporary Refuge Buildings so that you can reach one quickly, no matter where you are at the Lab. Your safety is our top concern, and we want you to be prepared in the event of an emergency.
There are several construction and infrastructure projects underway at the Lab. Click on the map below for details. For complete information, go to siteimpacts.lbl.gov.
This website was created as part of Berkeley Lab's emergency response plan for local and regional disasters. In the event of any disruption of services, this site will provide a means for Lab employees to communicate with each other and stay informed on the status of lab operations.
The Emergency Status Information Line is: 1-800-445-5830.