What is the difference between a tsunami watch and a tsunami warning?

PORTLAND, Ore. - A Tsunami Watch was in effect for the Washington and Oregon coast after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake shook in the Gulf of Alaska early Tuesday morning. The watch was canceled at 4:15 a.m.

A Tsunami Watch means that a tsunami is possible, but it is not yet confirmed. If a Tsunami Warning is issued, that would mean a tsunami is imminent.

The Tsunami Warning Center says Washington and Oregon were under a Tsunami Watch. They predicted waves could arrive around 5:10 a.m.

Tuesday morning, Seaside Dispatch said they were getting tons of calls from people concerned about a tsunami.

Since the area was only under a watch, authorities say there was no reason for people to evacuate their homes.

However, some people along the Oregon coast chose to move to higher ground.

Tillamook County officials say they are still waiting on data from the Tsunami Warning Center. Buoys can record data that can help predict tsunamis.

Gordon McGraw from Tillamook County says based on similar experiences, places like Seaside don’t usually get hit as hard as Newport and Depoe Bay

Officials were worried about the timing of the high tide in Tillamook. It’s at 4:57 a.m.