How the Hawaiian tsunami is affecting the Bay Area

This morning, the National Weather Service announced a tsunami advisory following the massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile, and indeed, the tsunami's first waves have hit the Hawaiian coast.

Locally, in Santa Cruz, the Harbor Patrol began putting written notices on people's boats around 6 a.m. today.

Beaches in San Mateo and Marin counties are also closed in anticipation of the potentially hazardous waves. San Mateo County officials are alerting people to stay out of the water and away from the coast.

Illuminated signs on Highway 92 in San Mateo were flashing the beach closure to westbound motorists at noon. At the same time, sheriff vehicles and personnel were working to prepare a mobile illuminated sign at the corner of 92 and Main in Half Moon Bay.

The earthquake has already produced measurable effects in Half Moon Bay. At Pillar Point Harbor, the tide continues to rise and recede at increasingly higher levels. "Due to the tidal wave, we've had a three and a half foot variation in a 20 minute period," said Harbor Master Robert Johnson around 1:30 p.m. today.

The tsunami warning has also resulted in delays of flights between San Francisco and Hawaii. 

An American Airlines flight from San Francisco International Airport to Honolulu has been delayed at least three hours.

United Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flights from SFO to Maui, Honolulu and Kona will likely be delayed, and an Alaska Airlines flight from Oakland International Airport to Kahului, Hawaii has been delayed as well.

You can check here for flight delays.

And here's a list of Bay Area Hawaiian organizations with contact information.