Tsunami waves have crashed on the shorelines of Hawaii, California and Washington after a gargantuan 8.8-magnitude temblor struck Russia’s far eastern coast.
Alerts were set off overnight across the Pacific as coastal regions prepared for impact, with Hawaii bracing to be hit hard. Residents were ordered to evacuate and Hilo International Airport was temporarily closed to facilitate evacuation of Keaukaha.
But, the alert level was downgraded to a tsunami advisory just before 5 AM ET, meaning evacuated residents could return to their homes.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said earlier Wednesday morning while “significant water” was received, no damage has been recorded on Oahu, Hawaii’s most populous island — but but it will take hours to be in the clear.
Meanwhile, on the West Coast of mainland America, shores have seen waves just under 4 feet, and residents are advised to avoid beaches and harbors.
And despite the impact being on the weaker side, Dr. Ariel Cohen, head meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Los Angeles/Oxnard office, advises people to remain vigilant as they “are seeing a lot of surging of the waters, especially along west- and northwest-facing beaches.”
Waves also hit Japan, where nearly 2 million people were asked to evacuate, and Russia’s Kuril Islands in the Pacific.
