Author: KION

Jeanette Bent

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) — The Santa Cruz Harbor is no stranger to tsunamis of a variety of sizes.

In the past, some of these large waves have caused significant damage and even death.

The most recent tsunami advisory — which took place between July 29 and 30 after a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off of a low-populated section of Russia’s eastern coast — fortunately caused little to no damage to the Santa Cruz Harbor area.

“The Santa Cruz Harbor faces a direction of due south, so depending on the direction of an incoming tsunami will determine the amount of damage,” said a representative from the Santa Cruz Harbor.

The waves coming into the Harbor Wednesday morning were certainly tamer than some of the past tsunami activity that the Harbor had seen in the past.

Santa Cruz Harbor, tsunami advisory July 2025

A History of Tsunami Activity in Santa Cruz

On April 1, 1946 a tsunami struck in Santa Cruz, creating 10-foot waves that swept a man into the ocean at Cowell Beach, according to the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC).

That tsunami was generated by an 8.6-magnitude earthquake in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.

Then, in 1964 and more recently in 2011, the Santa Cruz Harbor received two different tsunamis spawned by quakes in Alaska and Japan, respectively, totaling a 9.0 and 9.2 quake.

The Harbor suffering between $15 and $20 million in damage.

The Tonga Volcanic eruption from the South Pacific that took place in 2022, left the Harbor with between $8 and $10 million in damage.

“Based on eyewitness and video observations of the tsunami in Santa Cruz Harbor, most of the surveyed tsunami and runup heights are the result of inundation from the highest wave around 8:50 PST,” wrote the USGS online.

“You have the first wave of the tsunami that comes in and then impacts the coast, that is usually not the largest wave,” said Research Geophysicist with the USGS Eric Geist.

Geist says that tsunami size and subsequent damage depends on many of its origin factors, citing that tsunamis tend to come in… waves.

“After that hits the coast, the waves will be propagating parallel to the coast, and if they encounter a bay like Monterey Bay, they’ll be ringing like a bell back and forth into it,” he said.

Also, Geist says that the location of said volcano or earthquake will affect the way that it hits the Monterey Bay area.

“The first waves are going to refract around the points on the bay and then come towards the Santa Cruz Harbor, so they’re going to hit the outer part of the coast first and then refract or bend around the point and come in towards there,” said Geist. “Then, the resonation takes over after that.”

The Anatomy of a Tsunami and How to Stay Safe

USGS Geophysicist Eric Geist says that there are specific behaviors to watch out for if a tsunami is expected to hit.

“Most often — like 70% of the time — you won’t see breaking waves like you typically would see for the surfing waves, you’ll see just a step-up in water, kind of like a very fast-moving tide,” he said. “They’re very deceptive because a lot of times people don’t see a tsunami until it’s too late to outrun because they’re also moving very fast and much farther inland. They’re really tricky waves.”

Even if you don’t see anything going on throughout the surface of the water, Geist says that the currents are still quite strong beneath the surface.

According to the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center in Santa Cruz, the tsunami’s height can be significantly taller than the regular sea level, even if it’s not recognizable (see the diagram below, available on the USGS website).

USGS tsunami terminology and diagram

Geist also says that since the Monterey Canyon sits on the bottom of the bay’s floor offering a deep channel for water to flow into the bay, this just transmits more energy into the area than if there were no canyon at all.

“The canyon does influence how much tsunami energy gets funneled into the bay and then resonance takes over,” he said. “Tsunamis are very fast; they’re much faster than typical ocean-generated waves. They move at about a jet airliner speed in the deep ocean.”

What’s Next and Tracking Tsunamis

The 1946 tsunami was the catalyst to establish the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), which was created to monitor tsunami activity and help reduce loss of life and property.

“Tide gauges were originally designed for harbor masters to predict the tides,” said Geist of the current tool used by boaters to navigate the waters ahead of launch. “They were designed to attempt to filter out ocean waves and swell, they happen to pick up tsunami waves so they’ve been incredibly important for forecasting abilities for the National Weather Service, in addition to these new instruments.”

These instruments, like Bottom Pressure Recorders (BPR) (pictured below), Geist says were invented to forecast tsunamis and have been particularly helpful in doing that.

NOAA Bottom Pressure Recorder

According to Geist, the current primary method of tracking tsunami power is through measuring the wave’s length, however, USGS scientists out of the westside in Santa Cruz are exploring new ways of measuring tsunami behavior throughout the Santa Cruz Harbor.

“For Santa Cruz specifically, we’re trying to put in a current meter in the Santa Cruz Harbor to hopefully help our forecasting capabilities and to just get an idea of what the response of the harbor is to tsunami waves,” said Geist. “Current meters are being more and more used to understand the behaviors of tsunamis when it comes to the damage they produce of things in the water.”

To learn more about early tsunami detection, you can visit NOAA’s Tsunami Detection website. Additionally, you can check the water and temperature quality in Santa Cruz’s Harbor by visiting the Port’s website here.

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Sergio Berrueta

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has reported that more victims have come forward after deputies announced the arrest of 58-year-old Anastacio Ramos Rubio of Salinas for allegedly committing sex-related crimes while providing massage services at his home.

Since announcing Rubio’s arrest, the sheriff’s office says that “several additional persons” have reached out to them saying that they are also victims of crimes committed while receiving services from Rubio.

“Our investigation leads us to believe that there are additional victims who have received services from Mr. Rubio and may be victims of similar types of crimes,” said deputies.

Rubio is currently in the Monterey County Jail on charges of penetration with a foreign object, sexual battery and practicing medicine without a license. His bail has been set at $1,000,000.

Deputies are asking anyone who may believe that they’ve been a victim or have any additional information to reach out to Detective Rodrigo Lopez at 831-253-6050 or LopezR3@countyofmonterey.gov.

Salinas man arrested for sexual crimes from their home-run massage business

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) – A Salinas man accused of assaulting a victim in their home-run massage parlor pleaded not guilty on Tuesday.

58-year-old Anastacio Rubio pleaded not guilty after being arrested for assaulting a victim from his business on Fontes Lane in Salinas.

Monterey County Sheriff’s Office arrested Rubio after the victim told a family member that she had been touched inappropriately.

Rubio is suspected of also injecting her with an unknown substance to “help her relax” and giving her unknown pills.

The next hearing is set for August 19.

Salinas man arrested for sexual crimes from their home-run massage business

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) – A Salinas man has been arrested for assaulting a victim in a massage parlor he ran from his home.

According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, 58-year-old Anastacio Ramos Rubio was arrested and had been running his business on Fontes Lane in Salinas.

Rubio was arrested as deputies served a search warrant at 1 p.m. on Friday.

MCSO was contacted by a family member of the victim, who told her mother that she had been touched inappropriately.

MCSO Sheriff Tina Nieto said at the press conference that the suspect injected her with an unknown substance to “help her relax.” He also provided them with unknown pills.

MCSO also suspects that there may be more victims.

“This is a practice that’s been brought over from, like, Mexico and some of these other countries, where these unlicensed misuse, type of businesses are just done by people passing phone numbers between families,” Nieto said. “So, that’s why we believe that there are other victims out there that are maybe embarrassed. We believe there are other victims out there because he was very prolific in things that we identified in the investigation.

Rubio is being charged with sodomy, sexual battery, and unauthorized practice of medicine.

Suspect arrested for sexual crimes from their massage business

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) – A suspect has been arrested for sexually related crimes while operating a massage business in Salinas.

According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, the massage business was being run out of their home.

A press conference is being held at 4:30 p.m. with more details. We will update this story with those details once available.

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jose.romo

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV) — The city of Watsonville is facing the loss of significant grant money. This is after funds intended for a feasibility traffic impact study were taken away through the Big Beautiful Bill. 

On Wednesday, the city announced the loss of a $2.3 million grant that would study the traffic, health, and economic impacts of large truck traffic around the city’s main roads. 

“The purpose of the study was to evaluate those impacts and come up with solutions for how to address it, how to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety, how to help with the revitalization of downtown and the wider and address emissions near places like schools.” Justin Meek with the city of Watsonville says the study was planned to work with policies already in effect. He says a major concern was pedestrian fatalities which the city had already looked at through their vision zero plan. 

Between 2017 and 2022, the California Office of Traffic Safety and Watsonville Police reported 177 pedestrians were injured or killed, while 61 cyclists also suffered from minor to fatal crashes. Similar data shows that a lot of these incidents occurred near Main Street, also known as State Route 152.

Angelina Martinez, who lives near State Route 152, says the major trailer traffic concerns her as it is a health risk. She adds that many in her age group choose to walk around the neighborhood, making and that the added traffic poses a safety risk. 

Others like Rogelio Guerrero say not much can be done to change truck routes, as those are the main roads that connect the major highways.  

“This hurdle will be overcome with continued effort by the city to find other opportunities in the future for addressing these harms and how to help,” added Meek. 

He says that rather than an impact, this cut to funding poses a loss of an opportunity.  he adds, however, the city remains committed to working with policies already in effect to address these concerns.

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Sergio Berrueta

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) – The first-ever Race the Wave run/walk is ready to bring awareness of tsunami safety to the City of Santa Cruz on Sept. 13.

The tsunami awareness run will follow a timed 3K evacuation route from a high-risk coastal area to higher ground beginning at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. From here, the route heads down Pacific Avenue to the Downtown area and ends at Mission Plaza Park.

This announcement comes a day after a tsunami advisory was in effect due to the 8.8 magnitude quake outside of the remote east coast of Russia. Santa Cruz City Manager Matt Huffaker said that the advisory served as a “powerful reminder that these hazards are real.”

“Preparedness is critical. Events like this help us build awareness and resilience, because knowing what to do in those first moments can save lives and protect our community,” said Huffaker.

The race will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, with registration open now with an entry fee of $20 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under.

Those who participate will receive a t-shirt, safety materials, and post-run refreshments.

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jose.romo

SEASIDE, Calif. (KION-TV) — Seaside Police are searching for one or multiple thieves accused of a series of burglaries. Police say work trucks are the main target. Authorities and community members say the neighborhood has been calm, yet hearing about this brings concern. 

“An issue with vehicle burglaries and a specific neighborhood in the city targeting tools, power tools, all the same MO with window smashes.” Commander Matthew Doza with the Seaside Police shared that they have been following leads after multiple reports of car break-ins around Kimball Avenue. 

“When we do see cars that don’t belong here, I end up calling the police department,” Ann Marie shares she has lived in the neighborhood her entire life and never felt unsafe. Now she is looking to take extra precautions. 

Authorities say in the last two days, six work trucks have been broken into. They are continuing to search for the suspect, yet remind people to stay vigilant in their community.

“This group of people or this one person, we’re not sure if it’s a group or one person, they’re checking vehicles, and they can see the tools from the outside.” He adds, “ I highly suggest that if you do have anything valuable in your car, either put them away so they’re not visible from the outside.”

Some workers around the area, choosing to lock their belongings. Nick Erardi’s first reaction when hearing of these burglaries was, “anger, tools are what we use to make a living, and if people are stealing them out of our trucks, our houses, our yards, garages. Not cool, man.”  

He adds he was fell victim to an unrelated theft about a year ago when he had tools stolen from his truck.  

“Burglaries happen everywhere, but there’s a cluster in this little neighborhood, so we’re trying to figure out why. This again leads us to suspect that the suspect may know someone in that area, and they keep visiting the area, possibly because they live there.”

Seaside Police are following leads in search of the potential suspect or suspects responsible for these car break-ins. They remind the community members to make sure to lock their vehicles and avoid leaving valuables in plain sight.

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Sergio Berrueta

MARINA, Calif. (KION-TV) – Two grenades found in Marina were destroyed by the Bomb Squad this morning.

The two grenades were found near the 400 block of Ridgeview Avenue around 7 a.m., according to Marina Police.

Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad responded to the area and evacuated residents as they destroyed the devices.

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Sergio Berrueta

(CNN/KION-TV) — The Tsunami Advisory in place across a large portion of California, including the Central Coast, has been extended.

The advisory is now scheduled to end at 1:30 pm, however has been extended multiple times since it was initially put in place on Tuesday night.

The National Weather Service reports wave heights of 1.5 feet at 4:24 a.m. in Monterey and 1.2 feet at around 2:24 a.m. in San Francisco.

Point Reyes saw 2.6 feet waves at around 4:23 a.m. according to the NWS.

The National Weather Service says the dangers at the moment are for anyone at local beaches, harbors or marinas.

People are advised not to go to the coast to watch the tsunami and listen to instructions from emergency officials.

The Tsunami Advisory comes after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck near eastern Russia on Tuesday.

Tsunami warning in effect for northern edge of California

The National Tsunami Warning Center has upgraded a tsunami advisory to a tsunami warning for the Northern California coast from Cape Mendocino to the Oregon/California border, including Crescent City.

Waves of 2 to 5 feet are possible in the warning area, with the first waves expected to arrive around 11:50 p.m. PT Tuesday.

The rest of the California coast remains under a tsunami advisory with lower wave heights expected, generally under 1 foot, but strong currents and dangerous coastal conditions are still likely.

Crescent City is particularly vulnerable – it was devastated in 1964 when a tsunami generated by a 9.2-magnitude Alaska earthquake killed at least 10 people and caused millions in damage.

The California Office of Emergency Services said it is working closely with the National Tsunami Warning Center, the National Weather Service, and local emergency managers to assess the impacts.”

“Residents in coastal areas are urged to stay alert, follow instructions from local officials, and monitor trusted sources for the latest information,” the office said in a statement.

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Katie Nicora

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — In response to limited options for formal child care, Santa Cruz County is offering a loan program for providers to expand or make improvements to their business.

The county says the Child Care Developer Fee Loan Program was developed in 1991 to mitigate the cost of increased child care needs. 

A total of $380,000 in funding is available and funds cannot be used for operating expenses, administrative costs, professional development or nonessential items.

Applications are available through the human services department‘s website and are due by 5 p.m. on August 6.

The county says the last program cycle distributed over $150,000 from 2020 to 2021.

Recipients included 15 approved child care centers and family home day cares.

The county adding that altogether, projects funded by the program added 220 licensed child care slots county-wide.

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Dania Romero

GILROY, Calif. (KION-TV) — The smell of garlic once again filled the air in Gilroy this past weekend as the city’s beloved Garlic Festival made its long-awaited return, bringing big crowds, booming local business, and a renewed sense of community.

For many residents and visitors, the return of the festival wasn’t just about food; it was about healing and celebration.

“The whole energy was amazing,” said Gilroy resident Lori Hawk. “Coming out of a tragedy that happened six years ago and then a global pandemic right after that, I think that having the festival back just means so much to our community.”

Although only 9,000 tickets were available for the main event, downtown Gilroy stayed lively as local businesses welcomed a wave of foot traffic. Pour Me Taproom saw triple the usual sales volume over the weekend.

“The turnout was phenomenal,” said owner Matthew Gallion. “We actually had a lot of increased foot traffic down here, something I don’t think a lot of us were expecting. So much so, in fact, Gallion admitted, “We actually ran out of beer.”

While the festival’s return was widely celebrated, organizers and volunteers noted there were some hiccups.

“It was a bit chaotic,” said Andrea Altamirano, a festival volunteer. “There wasn’t much of a system in place, so we were figuring it out as we went. The wait time for food and beverages was definitely long.”

Others echoed similar concerns about food lines, especially on opening day.

Despite these growing pains, the event was deemed a success in terms of safety. Gilroy police reported a peaceful weekend.

“The presence of police and sheriffs was strong,” said Hawk. “They were even patrolling by air.”

Beyond the festivities, the Garlic Festival Association has long served a charitable purpose, raising over $12 million for local causes and schools throughout its history.

“A lot of us are just very heavily invested — not only in what it means to go there and just be together, but also in what it means for our community at large,” Hawk added.

Looking ahead, many in the community are hopeful the festival will expand back to its former scale next year, honoring both the traditions of the past and the resilience of a community that continues to move forward.

The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce and the Garlic Festival Association have not yet confirmed plans for 2026.

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Sergio Berrueta

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office says Donel Geisen did not enter a plea in court Tuesday.

They say that he is expected to appear August 13 for a competency hearing.

Geisen is accused of stabbing his wife — Barbara Lynn Geisen — to death at their home on Raymond Way on July 24.

Deputies say that Geisen was not formally charged until after he was treated for his self-inflicted stab wounds.

They also say the suspect was the one who called the stabbing in to dispatchers, confessing what he had done.

The investigation is ongoing and no motive has been released yet.

Man arrested in wife’s murder in Carmel murder/attempted suicide investigation

CARMEL, Calif. (KION-TV) — The husband in a murder investigation in Carmel for the death of his wife has been arrested.

According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department, 79-year-old Donel Mark Geisen has been arrested for the murder of his wife, Barbara Lyyn Geisen.

Donel Mark had reportedly called 911, stating that he had murdered his wife, Barbara. When MCSO deputies arrived at the home at the 3700 block of Raymond Way, they found Barbara Lynn dead with multiple stab wounds.

Donel Mark also had self-inflicted stab wounds and was transported to a nearby hospital. They were treated for their injuries before being arrested and charged with murder.

Donel Mark’s bail is set at $1 million.

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