If you woke up and saw "tsunami" trending or appearing in your local alerts, your heart probably skipped a beat. Living in Whatcom County means the ocean is basically our backyard, and that beauty comes with a side of geological reality. As of January 17, 2026, there is no active bellingham tsunami warning today.
Honestly, the confusion usually starts with those small "Information Statements" that the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) puts out. Just a few days ago, on January 15, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake hit off the coast of Oregon. People saw the alert, saw the word "tsunami," and naturally started wondering if the Fairhaven boardwalk was about to disappear. It wasn't. The NTWC was very clear: there was no threat. But in the age of push notifications, "no threat" often gets clipped out of the headline.
Understanding the Bellingham Tsunami Warning Today and Why Alerts Matter
The Salish Sea is a weird place for water. We aren't like the Long Beach peninsula where the Pacific Ocean just slams into the sand. Bellingham is tucked behind a lot of islands. Because of that geography, people sometimes get a false sense of security. They think the San Juans act like a giant speed bump for waves.
They don't.
If a massive earthquake hits the Cascadia Subduction Zone—the big one everyone talks about—a wave would reach Bellingham in about two and a half hours. That’s enough time to finish a long movie, but definitely not enough time to pack a suitcase or get stuck in traffic on I-5.
What Different Alerts Actually Mean
When you check for a bellingham tsunami warning today, you might see different colors or terms. It’s kinda like a traffic light, but for your life.
- Information Statement: Basically just a "hey, an earthquake happened." Usually, there’s no danger at all.
- Watch: This is the "get your shoes on" phase. A distant earthquake happened and a wave might be coming. They're still checking the data.
- Advisory: This is for the beach-goers and boaters. We saw one of these back in July 2025. It means "stay out of the water." You’re probably not going to see a 50-foot wall of water, but the currents will be strong enough to toss a boat around like a toy.
- Warning: This is the big one. Move to high ground immediately.
Why Does Bellingham Get Different Warnings Than the Coast?
If you have friends out in Ocean Shores, they might be under a Warning while we're only under an Advisory. This happens a lot. By the time a wave travels from the open Pacific, through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and around the corners of the islands, it loses some of its punch.
But "some" doesn't mean "all."
Modeling from the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) shows that a Cascadia event could still push water up to 18 feet high in parts of Bellingham Bay. Think about Squalicum Harbor or the Port of Bellingham. If you're standing at the water's edge, 18 feet is basically a two-story building. You don't want to be there.
The Siren Situation
Bellingham has an All-Hazard Alert Broadcast (AHAB) siren at Squalicum Harbor. If you hear that thing making a wailing sound followed by a voice in English and Spanish, it’s not a drill. Well, unless it’s the first Monday of the month at noon—that’s the test.
The thing about the sirens is they are designed for people outdoors. If you're inside watching Netflix with the windows shut, you might not hear it. This is why having a NOAA weather radio or being signed up for Whatcom County’s "Whatcom Ready" alerts is basically mandatory if you live near the water.
Natural Warning Signs: When the Tech Fails
Let's be real for a second. If a local earthquake hits—one that makes it hard to stand up—the power might go out. Your phone might lose signal. The siren might not trigger.
In that case, the earthquake is your bellingham tsunami warning today.
If the ground shakes for more than 20 or 30 seconds, don't wait for a tweet from the city. Just go. Also, watch the water. If you see the tide go out incredibly fast, exposing the seafloor in a way you've never seen before, that's a classic sign. The ocean is literally drawing back to gain momentum.
Where to Actually Go
Most of Bellingham is actually pretty high up. If you're in the Lettered Streets, you’re probably fine. If you’re in Sunnyland, you’re definitely fine. The danger zones are the low-lying bits:
- The Waterfront / Roeder Avenue area.
- The Port and Squalicum Harbor.
- Marine Park in Fairhaven.
- Sandy Point (this area is particularly vulnerable because it’s basically at sea level).
The goal is to get at least 50 feet above sea level. In Bellingham, that’s usually only a few blocks inland for most spots. You don't need to climb Mount Baker; you just need to get away from the immediate shoreline.
Actionable Next Steps for Bellingham Residents
Since there is no active threat right this second, it’s the perfect time to do the boring stuff you’ve been putting off.
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First, check your "Go Bag." You don't need a year's supply of food, but you need three days. Make sure you have a physical map of the city. If the earthquake hits, Google Maps isn't going to help you navigate around a collapsed bridge or a cracked road.
Second, identify your high ground. If you work at the Port, where is the nearest hill? If you're at Boulevard Park, do you know the quickest way up to State Street? Walking is almost always better than driving during an evacuation because the roads will be a parking lot of panicked people.
Third, sign up for alerts. Go to the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office website and find the "Whatcom Ready" link. It takes two minutes.
Lastly, keep an eye on Tsunami.gov. That is the gold standard for data. If you see people on social media screaming about a "massive wave" but Tsunami.gov says "Information Statement," believe the scientists, not the clickbait.
Stay safe, keep your shoes near the bed, and remember that being prepared is the only way to turn a potential disaster into just a really bad day.
Immediate Action Items:
- Locate your nearest "High Ground" zone using the DNR Tsunami Evacuation Map for Bellingham.
- Verify your phone's Emergency Alert settings are turned ON for both Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and local Whatcom County notifications.
- Update your emergency kit with fresh water and a battery-powered radio specifically capable of receiving NOAA frequencies (Blaine station is 162.525 MHz).