Tsunami waves hit US shores after 8.8 magnitude quake strikes Russia's far east

CNN

3 days ago

Update:
Date: 14 min ago
Title: 'Everybody needs to be very vigilant,' meteorologist says
Content:
While some impacts in Southern California have been 'on the weaker side,' parts of coastal California are feeling the effects of the tsunami, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service said.
'We are seeing a lot of surging of the waters, especially along west- and northwest-facing beaches,' said Dr. Ariel Cohen, meteorologist in charge of the service's Los Angeles/Oxnard office.
'And these areas, such as the port San Luis area, Ventura Harbour area, and even near Santa Monica, are where we're getting a lighter version in terms of impacts of the water surging potential for some very minor inundation near the beaches and very significant and powerful rip currents.'
Cohen warned residents not to let their guard down.
'It's still a situation where everybody needs to be very vigilant, remain at a high state of readiness, as we head through the daytime hours,' he said. 'While the situation may be improving to some extent, we're not out of the woods just yet.'
Update:
Date: 27 min ago
Title: What we know so far: Huge earthquake in Russia's far east triggers Pacific waves
Content:
Tsunami warnings were issued from Japan to Chile, with huge waves predicted to hit parts of French Polynesia. If you're just joining us, here's the latest:
In Russia's district of Severo-Kurilsk, near the epicenter of the earthquake, a state of emergency was issued after tsunami waves lashed the coast, tearing boats from their moorings and carrying away storage containers, according to state media TASS and videos from the scene.
In Japan, more than 2 million people were told to evacuate as waves hit much of the northern and eastern coasts. By Wednesday afternoon, Tsunami warnings in parts of Japan were been switched to advisories, but still remained in Hokkaido and Tohoku regions.
The Philippines and Indonesia both issued tsunami warnings, with the Philippines later Wednesday cancelling their advisory.
Authorities in French Polynesia have placed the Marquesas Islands archipelago under a tsunami alert, saying that waves of up to 4 meters (13 feet) could reach the islands of Ua Huka, Nuku Hiva, and Hiva Oa overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday.
A tsunami advisory that was in place for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands was canceled Wednesday, according to the US National Weather Service Guam, who also said locations across Micronesia are also in the clear.
In Chile, the National Tsunami Alarm System said there's a tsunami threat for all the country's coastline. Peru's navy has said it is monitoring the situation closely.
Ecuador's Oceanographic and Antarctic Institute said the Galapagos Islands – a major center of biodiversity and wildlife found nowhere else – could see a wave measuring 1.4 meters (4.6 feet) by 9 a.m. local time.
The Integrated Tsunami Alert System of Mexico and Central America also issued a tsunami stretching from from Ensenada, on the northwest coast of Mexico, to the Central American country of Panama.
Update:
Date: 20 min ago
Title: Over 2 million people in Japan under evacuation orders as 4-foot waves crash on eastern shores
Content:
More than 2 million people across Japan were issued with localized evacuation orders, the country's Fire and Disaster Management Agency said Wednesday, as waves measuring up to 4.2 feet (1.3 meters) hit the east coast of Hokkaido.
It comes as tsuanmi warnings in some parts of the country were downgraded to advisories. The warnings still remain in the Hokkaido and Tohuku regions, however.
In a previous advisory Wednesday, the agency also warned that tsunami waves can strike repeatedly, and that residents in affected areas shouldn't leave their shelters until tsunami warnings or advisories are lifted.
Update:
Date: 1 hr 2 min ago
Title: Tsunami advisory canceled for Guam and Northern Mariana Islands
Content:
A tsunami advisory that was in place for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands has been canceled, according to the US National Weather Service Guam on Wednesday evening.
Locations across Micronesia are declaring all-clear, the weather service also said.
The National Weather Service Guam advised residents that 'strong currents may still occur.'
Update:
Date: 42 min ago
Title: Hawaii airport temporarily closed to allow people to use runway to evacuate
Content:
One of the two major airports on Hawaii's Big Island was temporarily closed Tuesday evening to allow people to evacuate from an adjoining beach community.
'Hilo International Airport was closed to facilitate evacuation of Keaukaha across the runway,' the state government said in a news release.
Keaukaha is directly north of the airport with multiple beach parks and has only one major street leaving the neighborhood.
Flights to and from Maui were also canceled, and baggage operations at Honolulu's main airport were temporarily suspended, the state said.
Update:
Date: 1 hr 11 min ago
Title: Philippines cancels tsunami advisory issued across the country
Content:
The Philippines has canceled a tsunami advisory that was issued for several coastal communities across the country.
'No significant sea level disturbances nor destructive tsunami waves have been recorded since the 7:25 a.m. (7:25 p.m. Tuesday ET) earthquake,' the Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said in its latest update.
The institute had previously warned the public to stay away from the coast and to move inland because tsunami waves were expected to hit coastal areas of the country.
'Any effects due to minor sea level disturbances have largely passed,' it said when canceling the advisory.
Update:
Date: 1 hr 22 min ago
Title: Colombia orders evacuations along its Pacific coast
Content:
Colombia has just issued a tsunami alert for several areas on its Pacific Coast, including the departments of Nariño and Chocó.
Beach closures and safety measures for maritime traffic are being implemented in those areas, according to Colombia's National Unit for Disaster Risk Management.
'As a preventative measure it is recommended to evacuate the beaches and low-lying areas on the coasts of Nariño and Chocó,' the disaster agency said. 'Head to higher ground away from the coast.'
Meanwhile, a tsunami warning has been issued for the departments of Cauca and Valle Del Cauca.
Update:
Date: 55 min ago
Title: Last tsunami warning still in effect in the US is in Northern California -- where waves topped 3 feet
Content:
Tsunami waves of more than 3 1/2 feet hit Crescent City – a coastal community about 15 miles south of the Oregon border – overnight, according to the National Weather Service.
'Continue to avoid beaches and harbors as tsunami activity will persist,' advised the weather service office in Eureka, California, shortly before 3 a.m. local time.
In the Bay Area, 'we are now seeing tidal swings of 2 to 2.5 feet in as little as 15 minutes,' the service said on X.
'This can create some seriously dangerous currents along beaches and harbors,' the weather service said. 'It's just a good idea to stay away from the water today!'
Update:
Date: 1 hr 28 min ago
Title: Video shows doctors in Russia performing surgery as earthquake hits
Content:
Video released by the health ministry in Russia's Kamchatka region shows the moment the powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck on Wednesday while doctors were performing surgery at Kamchatka Cancer Center.
Doctors are seen holding onto the patient, surgical equipment and monitors as the room shakes violently.
'Despite the danger, the doctors remained calm and stayed with the patient until the end,' Kamchatka's Health Minister Oleg Melnikov said. 'At the moment, the patient is doing well.'
Video shows medics in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, continuing a surgery on a patient despite a powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake that struck off Russia's far eastern coast on July 30.
Update:
Date: 1 hr 36 min ago
Title: French Polynesia could be hit with waves up to 13 feet high, authorities say
Content:
Authorities in French Polynesia have revised their tsunami alert for the Marquesas Islands archipelago, saying that waves of up to 4 meters (13 feet) could reach the islands of Ua Huka, Nuku Hiva, and Hiva Oa overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday.
A previous alert said that waves of up to 2.2 meters (7.2 feet) could affect the islands.
Earlier Wednesday, the French Armed Forces in French Polynesia said they were 'on alert as a precautionary measure' to assist any potential search and rescue or medical evacuation operations.
French Polynesia is a semi-autonomous French territory is a massive archipelago consisting of 118 islands. It spans across more than 5.3 million square kilometers of the south Pacific Ocean.
Update:
Date: 1 hr 28 min ago
Title: What we know so far in Hawaii: Tsunami advisory remains after mighty earthquake in Russia
Content:
Hawaii remains under a tsunami advisory after an 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Russia's Far East sent waves across the Pacific, but officials say the 'worst part of it' is over.
While no significant damage has been reported, residents and visitors are urged to avoid shorelines until an all-clear is issued, as monitoring continues for several hours, officials said.
We've rounded up the very latest for you from Hawaii, below:
Update:
Date: 1 hr 43 min ago
Title: No all-clear in Hawaii despite downgraded tsunami threat
Content:
Hawaii authorities are continuing to monitor conditions before issuing an all-clear for the tsunami threat and urging evacuated residents to be vigilant as they return home.
'Watch for floodwaters … do an assessment and check your structures and your homes,' James Barros, the administrator for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, said at a news conference.
Hawaii's tsunami warning has been downgraded to an advisory, but the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center is still monitoring data 'to update its forecast and for an all-clear that they may issue later on,' said Major General Stephen Logan, Hawaii EMA's director.
In the meantime, 'those who have evacuated may safely return home based on county assessments and directives,' Logan said.
No 'large damage' has been reported so far, Logan said, but some flooding has been seen in the Hilo area of the Big Island.
Officials are still asking residents to keep away from coastlines. 'The advisory still means that there's energy in the water so as you return home, still stay off the beach and stay out of the water,' Barros warned.
Update:
Date: 1 hr 54 min ago
Title: French Polynesia's Marquesas Islands under tsunami warning
Content:
Authorities in French Polynesia have issued a tsunami alert for the Marquesas Islands archipelago, saying that waves of up to 2.2 meters (7.2 feet) could reach the islands of Ua Huka, Nuku Hiva, and Hiva Oa overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday.
Other archipelagos in French Polynesia could also be affected by much smaller waves but no evacuation is required in these areas, it said.
French Polynesia, a semi-autonomous French territory is a vast archipelago, located in the south Pacific Ocean. Consisting of 118 islands, spread over more than 5.3 million square kilometers, French Polynesia is approximately the size of Europe.
French Armed Forces in French Polynesia are 'on alert as a precautionary measure' to assist any potential search and rescue or medical evacuation operations, Sébastien Lecornu, France's army chief said on X.
This post has been updated with additional information.
Update:
Date: 2 hr 35 min ago
Title: Evacuations lifted in Oahu, Emergency Management Department says
Content:
Evacuations have been lifted across Oahu, which includes the city of Honolulu, the Oahu Department of Emergency Management said on X. People are now allowed to return to evacuated areas.
It comes shortly after tsunami warnings for all of Hawaii were downgraded to advisories.
Update:
Date: 2 hr 37 min ago
Title: Here's the difference between a tsunami advisory, watch and warning
Content:
Tsunami advisories, watches and warnings have been issued on coasts across the world after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Russia's eastern coast Wednesday.
Here's the difference between an advisory, watch and warning and what you should do when one is issued, according to the National Weather Service:
Tsunami watch: A distant tsunami is possible when the NWS issues a tsunami watch. The weather service says that there is a risk of 'hazardous weather' when a watch is in place, but that certain factors like the weather event's location and its timing is still unclear. They are issued to provide those in potentially affected areas enough time to establish a plan if the weather develops. People under a tsunami watch are advised by the NWS to 'stay tuned for information' and to 'be prepared to take action if necessary.'
Tsunami advisory: An advisory is not 'better than a watch.' It's like a warning, but less severe. If the NWS issues a tsunami advisory, it means hazardous weather event is already taking place or likely to occur. An advisory alerts those who are in or very near water that there is potential for strong currents or dangerous waves. Flooding of beach or harbor areas is also possible under advisories. The NWS recommends to stay out of water and away from beaches and water ways when an advisory is in effect.
Tsunami warning: The NWS warns of 'dangerous coastal flooding and powerful currents possible' when an area is under a tsunami warning. The weather service issues them when 'hazardous weather' is already happening or is likely to start, and when the weather threatens life or property. Those under tsunami warnings should relocate to higher ground or further inland, according to the NWS.
Update:
Date: 2 hr 44 min ago
Title: Tsunami warning in Hawaii downgraded to an advisory. The "worst part of it" is over, official says
Content:
The tsunami warning for the state of Hawaii has been downgraded to an advisory, as of 10:39 p.m. HST, according to the National Weather Service.
The 'worst part of it' is over, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center Director Chip McCreery said Tuesday night, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.
The only tsunami warning remaining in the US is in Northern California.
Update:
Date: 2 hr 45 min ago
Title: In Pictures: Tsunami prompts evacuations in Japan and Hawaii
Content:
Update:
Date: 2 hr 47 min ago
Title: Tsunami floods harbor parking lot on Oahu's North Shore
Content:
Tsunami waters were seen spilling into a parking lot at the Haleiwa Boat Harbor on Oahu's North Shore, according to video from CNN affiliate KHNL.
The parking lot appears to be largely deserted, with the exception of a few cars driving through and two motorboats docked.
The water reached ankle height at around 9:10 p.m. local time, before receding after five minutes, KHNL reported.
A 4-foot tsunami wave earlier hit Haleiwa, with Oahu authorities telling residents to immediately take action.
Other videos obtained by KHNL show Coast Guard ships being set out to sea and emergency sirens going off. Residents in Honolulu were also seen fleeing to higher ground.
Update:
Date: 3 hr 1 min ago
Title: Tsunami waves have reached the Washington, Oregon and California coasts
Content:
Tsunami waves have reached the US West Coast, arriving early Wednesday along the Washington, Oregon and California coastlines.
The largest tsunami waves so far have been observed at:
A tsunami warning remains in effect for the northern California coast.
Tsunami advisories remain in effect for the rest of the California coast, including the San Francisco Bay Area, Oregon coast, and Washington coast.
Dangerous currents and additional surges are possible for hours after the initial waves.
The National Weather Service advises people to stay away from beaches, harbors and piers until alerts are lifted.
Update:
Date: 3 hr 4 min ago
Title: NOAA issues tsunami threat alert for Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu
Content:
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a tsunami threat today for Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, according to the US Embassy to Papua New Guinea.
The embassy urged US citizens in those parts of the South Pacific to 'be prepared to move to higher ground immediately if you are in a coastal area and notice unusual sea activity or feel strong or prolonged shaking.'
'Avoid coastal areas, beaches, and rivers until further notice,' the embassy's alert added. 'Ensure your emergency supplies are ready, including water, food, medications, and important documents.'