Beaches in San Mateo County closing

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. - Authorities are closing beaches in Northern California's San Mateo County following a tsunami advisory.

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office said Saturday the closures would include beaches in Pacifica and Half Moon Bay, where the National Weather Service has predicted strong currents and choppy waves for several hours starting around 1 p.m.

Sheriff's spokesman Ray Lunny said people should stay away from the waters off the county's coast at least until late Saturday afternoon.

California warned its coastal cities to prepare for possible tsunami waves following a magnitude-8.8 earthquake off the coast of Chile.

An advisory means there may be strong currents, but that widespread inundation is not expected.

State emergency officials say they are monitoring the situation, but no evacuations have been ordered.