Why are there tsunami warning signs? Is a tsunami likely to happen here?
While tsunamis do not happen frequently, they are likely sooner or later all along the Pacific coastline. Our warning signs are part of a larger effort to alert coastal communities and visitors to that possibility and teach them what to do if one should occur. The HMSC is susceptible to a tsunami because it is located close to sea level and sits on top of dredge spoils that make up much of the South Beach area. The Lincoln County tsunami warning system should provide plenty of time to evacuate from a tsunami caused by a distant offshore earthquake. In the case of a near-shore quake, the earthquake itself is your warning, and means a tsunami could strike in a matter of minutes.
