Japan earthquake, tsunami causes damage in county

Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in California, following swells that hit the state’s coastline on Friday, March 11. The currents, dubbed a tsunami by many, were caused by the 8.9-scale earthquake that struck Japan on Thursday, March 10.
The swells sucked most of the water out of the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor and then swept back into the cove. Dozens of boats broke free from their moorings and were capsized or swept into other boats.
Port management estimates that damage could exceed $25 million once all is said and done.
Locals in Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley were not affected by the tsunami, except that some residents moved to higher ground, heeding warnings to stay off the coastline.
Locally, Bay Federal Credit Union is accepting financial donations to support the Japanese, as well as setting up a fund to provide aid to local residents who were displaced when their boats were damaged by the tsunami currents.
Donations of cash or checks made payable to either BFCU for American Red Cross Japan Relief Fund or BFCU for American Red Cross Santa Cruz Relief Fund and can be dropped by any Bay Federal branch or mailed to Bay Federal Credit Union, Attention: Tsunami Relief, 3333 Clares St., Capitola, CA 95010 or online at www.bayfed.com.