WARNING ....:Oregon evacuated homes and businesses along its 300-mile coastline.

Oregon evacuated homes and businesses along its 300-mile coastline Friday in anticipation of a tsunami surging across the Pacific from Japan.

In Lincoln County, in the center of the Oregon coast, evacuations began shortly after 5 a.m. with the expectation of a surge of three feet and perhaps as high as six feet in some areas.

“We’ve evacuated residences and buildings up to 50 feet above sea level,” said Casey Miller, spokesman for the county’s emergency management office. Beaches are closed and spotters are keeping an eye on the surf, but by 7:40 a.m. Pacific time no surge had appeared, he said.

“Anyone who lives on the coast is being asked to evacuate,” said Christine Miles, spokeswoman for Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber.

Oregon put a tsunami response plan in place along the coast a decade ago, including details down to street signs in many communities that point the way to the highest ground. Oregon Emergency Management spokeswoman Jenni Chamberlain said there have been no reports of injuries or serious problems since the agency sent its first alert to counties at around 10 p.m. Thursday night.

“Beach and river flooding is our chief concern,” said Ms. Chamberlain.

The highest surge of about seven feet is expected along the southern coast, diminishing to about three feet at the border with Washington.

Source : http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2011/03/11/tsunami-sirens-awaken-oregon-coastal-residents/