Tsunami Warning Downgraded For Hawaii, U.S. West Coast & Alaska Following Major Earthquake Off Russian Coast – Update
UPDATED at 3.45 am PT… Tsunami warnings for Hawaii have been downgraded to an advisory, following an earlier alert calling for people on the U.S. island state to move to elevated ground in the wake of a massive earthquake off the Russian Pacific coast.
The Department Of Emergency Management for Hawaii’s main island of Oahu said, “dangerous tsunami waves were no longer expected to impact the state”, but urged caution along the coast.
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“Dangerous conditions are still possible in near-shore waters within the Hawaiian Islands. Use extreme caution when near or on the water,” it added.
The department said residents and visitors who evacuated could return home.
Hawaii’s airports had also reopened after been shut overnight, causing delays and cancellations for hundreds of flights. Passengers were advised to check with airlines.
Tsunami alerts have also been eased for the the U.S. West Coast and Alaska as well as other countries on the Pacific Ocean including Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Guam, Peru and the Galapagos Islands, and parts of China.
However, the National Weather Service for the Bay Area and Los Angeles continued to advise caution close to the water.
The service for San Francisco said it was seeing tidal swings of 2 to 2.5 feet in as little as 15 minutes, which could create “seriously dangerous currents: along beaches and harbors.”
“It’s just a good idea to stay away from the water today!,” it said.
Previously at 1.30am PT, July 30… Tsunami alerts have been issued for Hawaii, the U.S. West Coast and Alaska as well as Japan the Philippines, Indonesia, Guam, Peru and the Galapagos Islands, and parts of China following a massive earthquake in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Russia.
The Department Of Emergency Management for Hawaii’s main island of Oahu, which is home to the state capital of Honolulu, issued a warning at 6.15pm local time (9.15 pm PT) warning people in the city and surrounding areas to get to “higher elevations”.
It said the first waves were expected to arrive around 7.17pm local time (10.17pm PT). The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported around that time that a 5.7ft (1.7m) wave had been recorded on Hawaii’s second largest island of Maui, while a 4.9ft (1.5m) wave was recorded in Hailo.
“This is a moment in time when people need to prioritize the safety of their families,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi from the City and County of Honolulu’s Emergency Operations Center.
“We need everyone to take this situation seriously, act accordingly, evacuate inundation zones, and listen to first responders. We are asking everyone to remain calm and be safe. Mahalo.”
The earthquake off Russia’s Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, which triggered the tsunami warnings, measured 8.8 on the Richer scale. Russian scientists said it most strongest quake to hit the region since 1952.
The Hawaii Film Office, which oversees shoots on the popular filming location, also posted a link on its website to the islands’ Emergency Management Agent, which in turn advises on safety measures and food security in the event of severe flooding.
There were no updates at this stage on the implications for film and TV shoots as the islands braced for potential big waves.
The U.S. National Weather Service issued a wider Tsunami warning which also included portions of Alaska, Guam, American Samoa, and the West Coast of the U.S.
It called on people on the West Coast to avoid beaches, harbours and marinas, with waves expected to reach San Francisco and California in the early hours of the morning.
U.S. President Donald Trump also issued an warning on his realDonaldTrump handle, calling on people to visit the country’s Tsunami control for updates.
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