<p>Experts have said this estimate is "preliminary" and costs will go up in the coming days.<br />"It (the cost) is going to go up. This is an expensive event for California," the Los Angeles Times quoted Humboldt Earthquake Education Centre director Lori Dengler as saying.<br /><br />The two ports in the state that were hit hardest were Crescent City and Santa Cruz.<br /><br />At the Santa Cruz port, damage is estimated at USD 17 million, the report said, adding that 17 ships were sunk and up to 50 others were damaged.<br /><br />In Santa Barbara, waves turned the harbour into a tidal pool, "sweeping away a barge that was used for the city's commercial fishing operation and nearly destroying a 200-tonne crane barge that became unmoored in the tumult," the report said.<br /><br />"The whole harbour entrance was kind of chaotic for about five hours," said Santa Barbara Patrol Officer Ryan Kelly.<br /><br />He said several boats were damaged when they collided with barges or other vessels.<br />In other places, a city sailing dock broke off and a boat was lost at sea.<br /><br />The National Weather Service had cancelled its tsunami warning yesterday but warned that strong currents remain in Crescent City and in Santa Monica Bay.<br /><br />A 25-year-old man had died in the Del Norte County after being swept into the Pacific Ocean as he and his friend were taking photographs of the incoming tsunami waves.<br /><br />Friday's massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami in Japan left more than 1,000 dead and at least 10,000 missing. <br /></p>
<p>Experts have said this estimate is "preliminary" and costs will go up in the coming days.<br />"It (the cost) is going to go up. This is an expensive event for California," the Los Angeles Times quoted Humboldt Earthquake Education Centre director Lori Dengler as saying.<br /><br />The two ports in the state that were hit hardest were Crescent City and Santa Cruz.<br /><br />At the Santa Cruz port, damage is estimated at USD 17 million, the report said, adding that 17 ships were sunk and up to 50 others were damaged.<br /><br />In Santa Barbara, waves turned the harbour into a tidal pool, "sweeping away a barge that was used for the city's commercial fishing operation and nearly destroying a 200-tonne crane barge that became unmoored in the tumult," the report said.<br /><br />"The whole harbour entrance was kind of chaotic for about five hours," said Santa Barbara Patrol Officer Ryan Kelly.<br /><br />He said several boats were damaged when they collided with barges or other vessels.<br />In other places, a city sailing dock broke off and a boat was lost at sea.<br /><br />The National Weather Service had cancelled its tsunami warning yesterday but warned that strong currents remain in Crescent City and in Santa Monica Bay.<br /><br />A 25-year-old man had died in the Del Norte County after being swept into the Pacific Ocean as he and his friend were taking photographs of the incoming tsunami waves.<br /><br />Friday's massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami in Japan left more than 1,000 dead and at least 10,000 missing. <br /></p>