Calif Tsunami Damage Estimate Increases

California’s damage estimate from last month’s tsunami has increased.

California Emergency Management Agency spokesman Brad Alexander said the most recent damage estimate was $48 million, $4 million more than a previous estimate.

Meanwhile, Alexander tells The Times-Standard of Eureka, Calif., that officials are currently in the process of drafting a letter to the White House requesting a disaster declaration.

The declaration would pave the way for federal aid and save the state $25 million in repair costs.

Harbors in Santa Cruz, Crescent City and Fort Bragg were among the hardest-hit by the surge of water that was triggered by the 9.0-magnitude earthquake off Japan’s northeast coast.