East Gippsland ‘tsunami warning’ cancelled

Issued at 12pm AEDT on Sunday, January 16, the Bureau of Meteorology has cancelled a tsunami warning for areas in eastern Australia (Queensland, Victoria (including East Gippsland) and Macquarie Island.

Yesterday’s warning included East Gippsland coastal areas such as Cape Conran, Kalimna, Lake Bunga, Lakes Entrance, Lake Tyers, Lake Tyers Beach, Marlo, Merrangbaur Hill, Tamboon South, Bemm River, Corringle, Mallacoota, Simpsons Creek, Tamboon, Toorloo Arm, Tostaree, Waygara, Wingan River, Wombat Creek and Lakes Entrance, to 60 nautical miles east of Gabo Island including Mallacoota.

The Bureau issued the warning yesterday after the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano (near Tonga) erupted at 3.10pm AEDT on Saturday, January 15.

The marine threat tsunami warning for New South Wales – as well as Lord Howe and Norfolk islands - remains current for dangerous waves, rips and strong ocean current in the marine environment.

While the tsunami warning has been cancelled for Queensland, a separate hazardous surf warning is still in effect for dangerous swells due to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Cody.

Some unusual sea level changes from the tsunami may persist for many hours along the Queensland, Tasmanian and Victorian coasts, said the BOM.

The situation is being closely monitored and warnings will be updated as required.

While evacuations are not necessary for marine warning zones, people in these areas are advised to leave the water and move away from the immediate water's edge.

Tsunami waves are more powerful than the same size beach waves. There will be many waves and the first wave may not be the largest.

Conditions may remain hazardous at beaches in affected areas, and people should follow the direction of emergency services and surf lifesavers.

For detailed information about local conditions and arrival times, please visit: http://www.bom.gov.au/tsunami/index.shtml