New Jersey fire weather danger spikes Friday as Jones Road Fire scorches over 15,000 acres
The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement for parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, warning that with current warm, dry, and breezy conditions in place, any fires could grow more quickly Friday afternoon.
High temperatures will be in the mid-70s to 80s on Friday, with relative humidity forecast between 25-30% and wind gusts of 20 mph.
"These conditions, along with the continued drying of fine fuels, could support the rapid spread of any fires that ignite, which could quickly become difficult to control," said NWS meteorologists in Mount Holly, New Jersey.
It's unwelcome news for firefighters battling the Jones Road fire in Ocean County. The fire has already burned 15,300 acres, making it one of the 10 largest fires ever recorded in the state.
A 19-year-old man from Waretown, New Jersey, is accused of arson after officials said he lit wooden pallets on fire Tuesday morning and left the area without ensuring the fire was fully out.
Within hours, the fire spread to thousands of acres, prompting evacuation warnings for at least 5,000 people in Ocean County.
Thankfully, no one was injured by the fire, and evacuation orders have since been lifted.
Smoke from the wildfire filled New Jersey skies on Wednesday, before spreading north into New York City on Thursday morning, prompting air quality alerts.
New Jersey Man Faces Arson Charges In Connection With Jones Road Wildfire That Has Scorched Over 15,000 Acres
Air quality has returned to normal in New Jersey and New York, according to AirNow.gov.
The weather does change for the better over the weekend for firefighters as an area of low pressure moves into the Northeast on Saturday, bringing rain and possibly helping put out some of the flames.
"Any little bit is going to help," said FOX Weather Meteorologist Marissa Torres.
Meanwhile, firefighters are making good progress on the fire, which was 60% contained as of Friday morning.Original article source: New Jersey fire weather danger spikes Friday as Jones Road Fire scorches over 15,000 acres
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The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
The Latest: Powerful waves travel across Pacific after 8.8-magnitude earthquake
A tsunami sent powerful waves toward coastal areas of Russia's Kuril Islands, Japan and Hawaii and Alaska after a powerful, 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia early Wednesday. Warnings are also in place for Alaska and other coasts south toward New Zealand. The Japan Meteorological Agency said a tsunami as high as 60 centimeters (2 feet) had been detected as the waves moved south along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Tokyo Bay. Officials urged caution, saying that bigger waves could come later. Damage and evacuations were reported in the Russian regions nearest the quake's epicenter on the Kamchatka Peninsula and officials declared a state of emergency in several areas. Here's the latest: Russia says regional authorities were prepared The Kremlin said that regional authorities on Kamchatka were well prepared for the quake. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that the warnings were issued timely and people were quickly evacuated from dangerous areas. He added that the buildings proved resilient to shocks. Tsunami-driven tides build in northern California Tsunami activity continued to build in northern California as high tide approached Wednesday morning with maximum confirmed heights along the coast of 3.6 feet (1.1 meters) in Crescent City, 3.0 feet (.9 meters) in Arena Cove and 1.2 feet (.4 meters) in Humboldt Bay, according to the National Weather Service office in Eureka. The measurements in Crescent City and Arena Cove were high enough to create minor coastal flooding and inundation, the weather service said on social media, adding that tsunami activity will persist and people should avoid beaches and harbors. Crescent City officials warned on social media that higher surges could arrive around high tide and could affect lower lying areas. They asked people to stay away from beaches and waterways. Hawaii and parts of Japan downgrade tsunami warnings Hawaii and parts of Japan downgraded tsunami warnings, with Hawaii lifting evacuation orders across the state while leaving a tsunami advisory in place. Officials in Hawaii said residents who had evacuated could return to their homes. Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan, the Adjutant General of the State of Hawaii Department of Defense, said an advisory means there is the potential for strong currents and dangerous waves, as well as flooding on beaches or in harbors. Russia declares state of emergency in areas hit by earthquake The Russian authorities declared a state of emergency on the Kuril Islands and in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the main city on the Kamchatka peninsula. They earlier reported that several tsunami waves flooded the fishing port of Severo-Kurilsk, the main city on the islands, and cut power supplies to the area. Russia's Oceanography Institute said tsunami waves that hit the city topped 6 meters (19 feet). Japan asserts territorial rights to the four Pacific islands it calls the Northern Territories. They were taken by the Soviet Union in the final days of World War II, and the dispute has kept the countries from signing a peace treaty. 8.8-magnitude quake was among the strongest this century Wednesday's 8.8-magnitude quake was among the four strongest earthquakes this century, and among the eight strongest since 1900, according to the USGS. The earthquake occurred along the Pacific Ring of Fire, the ring of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where most of the world's earthquakes occur. The 2011 Japan quake and the 2004 earthquake off Indonesia were 9.1 magnitude, and a 2010 earthquake in Chile also was recorded at 8.8 magnitude. Japanese official warns evacuees they might not be able to return home by day's end Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told evacuees in the tsunami-affected areas that they might not be able to return home by the end of the day on Wednesday. Hayashi said waves could remain high for at least one day, and he urged evacuees to take precautions and stay well hydrated in the summer heat. Damage and minor injuries reported in Russian Far East Local authorities on Russia's Kamchatka peninsula said several people were injured during the massive quake, but didn't give an exact number. Oleg Melnikov, head of the regional health department, said a few people hurt themselves while rushing to leave buildings and a hospital patient received an injury while jumping out of a window. Melnikov said that all injured people were in satisfactory condition. A video released by Russian media outlet showed a team of doctors at a cancer clinic on Kamchatka holding a patient and clutching medical equipment as the quake rocked an operating room, before continuing with surgery after the shaking stopped. Officials said the doctors will receive decorations. In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Kamchatka's regional capital, the quake damaged a local kindergarten, which was not in operation due to ongoing repair work. Water recedes at Hawaii beaches as tsunami reaches Oahu Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said officials observed water receding by 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters) at Haleiwa Harbor on Oahu, the state's most populous island, an indication tsunami waves will arrive. The waves pulling out left boats to lay on dry rock and sand. 'That gave us pause,' Green said. So far no damage has been recorded, but it will take two to three hours of observation before authorities will be able to determine whether the event has passed, Green said. Pacific island nations urge people to avoid coastlines Authorities in a number of small island nations in the South Pacific Ocean urged people to stay away from coastlines, familiarize themselves with evacuation routes and await further guidance from officials, but did not order evacuations. Some tiny and low-lying Pacific island chains are among the world's most imperiled by tsunamis and rising seas. Cautions to stay away from beaches until any wave surges passed late Wednesday were issued by officials in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Federated States of Micronesia and Solomon Islands. Nearly 2 million people under evacuation advisories in Japan Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency said nearly 2 million residents are now under evacuation advisories in more than 220 municipalities along the Pacific coast as of midday Wednesday. It added that one person was slightly injured on the northern island of Hokkaido when a woman in her 60s fell while rushing to evacuate. She was taken to a hospital. Governor says Hawaii is ready for evacuations Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said data from Midway Atoll, which is part of the way between Japan and Hawaii, measured tsunami waves from peak to trough of 6 feet (1.8 meters). He said waves hitting Hawaii could be bigger or smaller and it was too early to tell how large they would be. A tsunami of that size would be akin to a three foot (90 centimeter) wave riding on top of surf, he said. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said data from Midway Atoll, which is part of the way between Japan and Hawaii, measured tsunami waves from peak to trough of 6 feet (1.8 meters). He said waves hitting Hawaii could be bigger or smaller and it was too early to tell how large they would be. A tsunami of that size would be akin to a three foot (90 centimeter) wave riding on top of surf, he said. He told a new conference that a wave that size could move cars and throw fences around. 'It can dislodge trees, that's why you can't just be out there. The impact is at great speed,' Green said. 'Any any structure that gets loose and strikes the individual could take them out. And people can drown quite easily with the force of that kind of wave.' Green said Black Hawk helicopters have been activated and high-water vehicles were ready to go in case authorities need to rescue people. 'But please do not put yourself in harm's way,' he said. Tsunami sirens sound in remote California city The small Northern California community of Crescent City turned on its tsunami sirens to warn residents about possible waves. 'You are hearing a Tsunami Siren. We are under a Tsunami Warning. Please stay away from beaches and waterways. A predicted wave may hit at 11:55 pm. We are waiting on additional information about any level of evacuation,' read a post from the City Hall Facebook account. The city in rural Northern California has roughly 6,000 residents. A tsunami in 1964 caused by an earthquake in Alaska caused a wave 21 feet (6.4 meters) high to hit the city, killing 11 people and destroying its downtown. Lines form at Honolulu gas stations There were long lines at gas stations near downtown Honolulu, with standstill traffic even in areas away from the shoreline. A Texaco gas station in the Nuuanu-Punchbowl neighborhood closed early so that workers could go home. The workers set out cones at pumps and turned away motorists. Jimmy Markowski, on a family vacation from Hot Springs, Arkansas, ended up at the closed Texaco station after fleeing their Waikiki beach resort in a caravan of three cars carrying 15 people. 'All we're trying to do is just figure out what we're going to do for the next three or four hours,' he said. 'We've got water, we got some snacks … we're going to stay elevated. This is our first tsunami warning ever. So this is all new to us.' Larger swells hit Japan A tsunami of 60 centimeters (2 feet) arrived at Hamanaka town on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido and Kuji port in Iwate on the main island, up from the earlier tsunami of 40 cm (1.3 ft), according to the JMA. A tsunami of 20 cm (7.9 inches) was detected in the Tokyo Bay, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Shiji Kiyomoto, a JMA earthquake and tsunami response official, said second or third tsunami waves of tsunami had arrived. Kiyomoto did not say when tsunami alerts would be lifted, and said high waves may last for at least a day, urging residents to stay at safe places. Definition of a tsunami Tsunamis are waves triggered by earthquakes, underwater volcanic eruptions and submarine landslides. After an underwater earthquake, the seafloor rises and drops, which lifts water up and down. The energy from this pushes sea water that transfers to waves. Many people think of tsunamis as one wave. But they are typically multiple waves that rush ashore like a fast-rising tide. Tsunami warning issued for parts of China China's Ministry of Natural Resources' Tsunami Warning Center has issued an alert for parts of the country's east coast along Shanghai and Zhejiang provinces. The warning forecasts that waves could reach between 0.3 to 1 meter (1 to 3 feet). Shanghai and Zhejiang are already under alert as Typhoon CoMay is expected to land in the Zhejiang province Wednesday. Hawaii authorities set up evacuation shelters Honolulu won't operate bus trips scheduled to start after 6 p.m. local time. Drivers still on routes after that and who are in inundation zones will head to higher ground. 'We want everyone to stay safe,' said Honolulu Fire Department Chief Sheldon Hao. 'Evacuate early so you don't put yourself in a tough situation.' US forecasters warn people against going to the coast 'This will NOT be a single wave. Do NOT try to go to the coast to take photos,' the National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area office posted on X. The agency warned people could put themselves and any rescue teams that may be out at risk. Tsunami forecast to hit parts of Vancouver Island, British Columbia The province's emergency preparedness agency said waves of less than 30 centimeters (less than 1 foot) were expected to reach Tofino around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday local time. A tsunami advisory spans much of British Columbia's coast and the agency said 'multiple waves over time' were expected. The waves are expected to first reach remote Langara Island around 10:05 p.m. The agency said local governments should consider evacuating marinas, beaches and other areas near the ocean. Mexico's Navy warns Pacific coast to anticipate tsunami waves Mexico's navy says waves between 30 to 100 centimeters (1 to 3.3 feet) are expected on the Mexican Pacific coast after the tsunami set off by the 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Russia's Far East. In a report, the navy's tsunami warning center said the waves will begin to reach the northern coast in Ensenada, near California, at around 2:22 a.m. Wednesday central time in Mexico, and it will continue south along the Pacific coast until it reaches the Chiapas states around 7:15 a.m. local time. 900,000 people under evacuation advisories in Japan Japan's Fire an Disaster Management Agency said so far no injuries or damage have been reported. The agency, in response to the tsunami alert, issued an evacuation advisory to more than 900,000 residents in 133 municipalities along Japan's Pacific coast, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. The number of people who actually took shelter was not available. A tsunami of 50 centimeters (1.6 feet) was detected at the Ishinomaki, the highest detected so far in the aftermath of Wednesday's earthquake, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The strongest quake in over a decade The earthquake at 8:25 a.m. Japan time had a preliminary magnitude of 8.0, Japan and U.S. seismologists said. The U.S. Geological Survey later updated its measurement to 8.8 magnitude. It appears to be the strongest anywhere in the world since the March 2011 quake off northeast Japan that was 9.0 magnitude and caused a massive tsunami that set off meltdowns at a nuclear power plant. Only a few stronger earthquakes have ever been measured around the world. Tsunami alert in Japan complicates transportation Ferries connecting Hokkaido and Aomori on the northern tip of Japan's Honshu island were suspended, as well as those connecting Tokyo and nearby islands. Some local train operations have been suspended or delayed as well, according to operators. Sendai airport says its runway has been temporarily closed. Tsunami waves detected at multiple points on Japan's Pacific coast Japan Meteorological Agency says a tsunami as high as 40 centimeters (1.3 feet) has been detected at 16 locations as the waves have moved south along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido down to just northeast of Tokyo. Officials urge residents to use caution as bigger waves could come later. New Zealand warns of 'strong and unusual currents' New Zealand authorities issued warnings of 'strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges' along all coastlines of the South Pacific island nation. Waves were not expected to arrive until late Wednesday night local time, officials said. Japanese nuclear power plants stop work Japanese nuclear power plants along the Pacific coasts have suspended their work schedule in response to the tsunami alert, but so far no abnormalities have been reported. Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, which operates the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, said about 4,000 workers are taking shelter at higher grounds on the plant complex while monitoring remotely to ensure plant safety. Its release of treated radioactive wastewater into the sea is also temporarily suspended as a cautionary step. Russian scientists call the earthquake a 'unique event' The 8.8-magnitude earthquake was the strongest to hit that area in Kamchatka since 1952, according to the local branch of the Geophysical Survey of the Russian Academy of Sciences. In a statement posted on their Telegram channel, they called the earthquake a 'unique event.' They said the epicenter was near a recent earthquake that struck the peninsula on July 20. Oregon officials say small tsunami expected to reach the state's coastline The Oregon Department of Emergency Management said on Facebook that small tsunami waves were expected to reach parts of the state's coastline starting around 11:40 p.m. local time, with wave heights between 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters). It urged people to stay away from beaches, harbors and marinas and to remain in a safe location away from the coast until the advisory is lifted. ___ This item was corrected to show that wave heights were expected to reach between 1 and 2 feet, not 1 and 3 feet. First waves hit Hokkaido in Japan and Russia's Kuril Islands The Japan Meteorological Agency said a first tsunami wave of about 30 centimeters (about 1 foot) reached Nemuro on the eastern coast of Hokkaido. The first tsunami wave hit the coastal area of Severo-Kurilsk, the main settlement on Russia's Kuril Islands in the Pacific, according to the local governor Valery Limarenko.
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
Tsunami waves hit US shores after 8.8 magnitude quake strikes Russia's far east
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.'
Axios
2 hours ago
- Axios
Richmond wants you to know where people are speeding most
Richmond is giving the public access to its speed data dashboard. Why it matters: The city uses it to direct traffic engineers and planners where to focus their attention, and now they want drivers to use it to make safer choices. The big picture: It's part of the city's years-long effort to make Richmond streets safer through its Vision Zero plan. Richmond has ramped up its safer street efforts in recent years in response to surging pedestrian deaths by adding school zone speed cameras and traffic calming measures, like back-in angle parking. The dashboard has existed for about a year, and Mayor Danny Avula decided to make it public as part of his administration's "commitment to transparency." How it works: The data is compiled from locals' cell phone and car GPS systems, per a news release last week. It'll tell you where people are speeding in the city and how fast they're going. Take Semmes Avenue in South Richmond, where the posted speed limit is 30 mph. Per the dashboard, 85% of drivers there are going 31 mph or less. It's a different story over on the Fan's busy West Main Street, where the speed limit is 25 mph. Only 50% are hitting 26 mph or less. The intrigue: The dashboard doesn't just show speeders. If you click around, you can find the places in town where drivers are crawling through the city. Take West Grace Street in the Fan, which, like Main, is pedestrian-heavy, but unlike Main, has narrower streets and more traffic-calming measures, like four-way stops. There, the posted speed limit is also 25 mph, but 95% of drivers are clocking in at 18 mph or under. 50% are going 13 mph or under. Fun fact: 13 mph is just one tick higher than a " gentle breeze," per the National Weather Service. Caveat: The dashboard shows the most recent two-month view available and will be updated monthly with new data from the vendor, city spokesperson Paige Hairston tells Axios. What they're saying: "The noteworthy observation is the strong overlap between the High Injury Network and the streets with high speeds. People driving in Richmond need to slow down," she adds. Zoom out: To visualize the impact of speeding and how it can make streets more dangerous, the city last week unveiled a 54-foot ladder at the Diamond.
