From Tsunami Watch to Tsunami Advisory

As a result of the major earthquake and tsunami in Japan, there's now a Tsunami Advisory in effect for our area, along with the rest of the California coast from the Mexican border to Point Conception. The National Weather Service advises residents to "move out of the water, off the beach and out of harbors and marinas," though the NWS adds that "significant widespread inundation" isn't expected in advisory areas. 

Tsunami amplitudes are expected to be at their highest from two to three hours after they first reach the West Coast. Amplitude forecasts can be found at WCATWC.ARH.NOAA.GOV.

The NWS warns residents in low-lying coastal areas to pay attention in case instructions come from local emergency agencies, and to continue to check periodically for more information on the situation.  Click here to link to the NWS page. The weather service's estimated time of "initial wave arrival" in our area was 8:32 a.m. in San Pedro.

In nearby Long Beach, an advisory issued by the city this morning said:

"Our Police, Fire and other City Departments have already begun preparations in case there is a change in danger levels, and City officials are monitoring the situation closely.

"At this point no evacuation has been ordered, but we are asking residents near the coast to be on alert.  Residents are advised to stay out of the water as a Tsunami is capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near the water, and those conditions can last for 10 to 12 hours after 8:00 AM this morning.  Beach parking lots have been closed.  Boaters in our marinas have been advised to tighten down their boats.  Additionally, Public Works is starting the deployment of the Seawall plugs for Naples in the event those plugs are needed to prevent flooding."

Earlier the National Weather Service had issued a Tsunami Watch for our area, along with the rest of coastal California and the West Coast, all the way from the Mexican border to Chignik Bay, Alaska.

Tsunami watches are issued, says the NWS, as an "advance notice to areas that could be impacted by a tsunami at a later time." 

For the latest news about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and it's effects elsewhere go to http://www.aolnews.com

Coverage from Japan:

Japan TV's coverage is also available for free to stateside viewers at all major cable and satellite companies (channels may vary by region): 

Time Warner, Los Angeles — Channel 607
FiOS, Los Angeles — Channel 1770
Comcast, CA — Channel 330
Comcast, Seattle — Channel 245
Cox, San Diego — Channel 400
Dish Network — Channel 640

There are also a number of resources online to watch coverage from the ground in Japan and that reports on Twitter about the earthquake have said that internet coverage is better: 

-NHK Live on ustream.tv (Japanese)
-TBS TV on ustream.tv (Japanese)
-Yokoso News (English)

* MarieSam Sanchez contributed to this report.