Crescent City: Crescent City, was the hardest hit town. The waves reached as much as 6 meters (20-21 feet) and destroyed half of the waterfront business district. Eleven persons lost their lives.
Perspective of Crescent City and Harbor
The Crescent City Harbor is one of the oldest in California. Lumbering and timber products are the major industries. Four waves struck the city. The travel time of the first tsunami wave to Crescent City was 4.1 hrs after the occurrence of the earthquake in Alaska. It caused no significant damage other than flooding. The second and third waves were smaller than the first. The fourth was the largest of the waves with a height of approximately 20 to 21 feet. It was preceded by a withdrawal of the water which left the inner harbor almost dry. This fast moving fourth wave capsized 15 fishing boats. Three other boats disappeared, and eight more sunk in the mooring area. Several other boats were washed onto the beach. Extensive damage was inflicted to the piers.
Aerial photo of Front and G. Streets of Crescent City, two days after the 1964 tsunami from Alaska struck, showing the destruction and displacement of buildings.
The tsunami waves covered the entire length of Front Street, and about thirty blocks of Crescent City were devastated. Lumber, automobiles, and other objects carried by the waves were responsible for a good portion of the damage to the buildings in the area. Fires started when the largest tsunami wave picked up a gasoline tank truck and slammed it against electrical wires. The fire spread quickly to the Texaco tank farm, which burned for three days. Final tsunami damage in Crescent City was estimated at $7,414,000. (1964 dollars).
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