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Hawaii tsunami warning downgraded and no major damage after first waves hit islands Major tsunami no longer expected to hit Hawaii though coasts remain hazardous to swimmers
(about 3 hours later)
Powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia triggers tsunami alerts across Pacific including for US coast and Japan Powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia had triggered tsunami alerts across Pacific including for US coast and Japan
Tsunami warning live updatesTsunami warning live updates
A major tsunami is not expected to strike Hawaii, a Pacific monitoring agency has said, after the first waves hit the islands after a powerful magnitude-8.8 earthquake that struck off Russia’s eastern coast. A major tsunami is not expected to strike Hawaii, a Pacific monitoring agency has said, after the first waves hit the islands following a powerful magnitude-8.8 earthquake struck off Russia’s eastern coast.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, operated by the US National Weather Service, said in an update that “based on all available data”, a major tsunami was not expected, although it warned all coasts could remain “a hazard to swimmers and boaters”, including people near the shore. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, operated by the US National Weather Service, said in an update that “based on all available data”, a major tsunami was not expected to hit the state of Hawaii, although it warned all coasts could remain “a hazard to swimmers and boaters”, including people near the shore, due to sea level changes and strong currents.
Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency said evacuation orders had been lifted and there were no reports of major damage. Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency said evacuation orders had been lifted and there were no reports of major damage. The tsunami warning for the state had been downgraded on Wednesday morning to a tsunami advisory.
The highest recorded waves in Hawaii were earlier reported as close to 1.8 metres (6ft). Tsunami warning sirens had sounded in Honolulu on Wednesday as the emergency department called for the evacuation of some coastal areas in preparation. The highest recorded waves in Hawaii reached up to 1.8 metres (6ft). Tsunami warning sirens had sounded Tuesday evening local time in Honolulu as the emergency department called for the evacuation of some coastal areas in preparation.
The coastguard had also issued an advisory for all boats, saying they should leave port before the tsunami hit, and airports were briefly shut before being reopened. The US coastguard advised all boats to leave the port ahead of the tsunami’s arrival and airports were briefly shut before being reopened.
The first waves hit the islands shortly after 8pm, with a gauge at Hanalei recording a wave height of a metre (3ft) above normal sea level. The Haleiwa gauge, on Oahu’s North Shore, recorded a tsunami amplitude of 1.2 metres (4ft) above normal sea level. Later readings put waves as high as 1.7 metres (5.7ft) above normal sea level. The first waves hit the islands shortly after 8pm local time, with a gauge at Hanalei recording a wave height of a metre (3ft) above normal sea level. The Haleiwa gauge, on Oahu’s North Shore, recorded a tsunami amplitude of 1.2 metres (4ft) above normal sea level. Later readings reported waves as high as 1.7 metres (5.7ft) above normal sea level.
The height of tsunami waves is only one factor in their destructiveness, with much depending on their speed and volume of moving water, as well as the shape of the shoreline.The height of tsunami waves is only one factor in their destructiveness, with much depending on their speed and volume of moving water, as well as the shape of the shoreline.
The massive quake struck on Wednesday morning in Russia, generating a tsunami of up to 4 metres (13ft) on the country’s east coast, damaging buildings and prompting evacuation warnings in the region and across most of Japan’s east coast, officials said. The massive quake struck early on Wednesday morning in Russia, generating tsunami waves of up to 4 metres (13ft) on the country’s east coast, damaging buildings and prompting evacuation warnings in the region and across most of Japan’s east coast, officials said.
The US tsunami warning system issued a warning of “hazardous tsunami waves” and a watch was also in effect for the US island territory of Guam and other islands of Micronesia.The US tsunami warning system issued a warning of “hazardous tsunami waves” and a watch was also in effect for the US island territory of Guam and other islands of Micronesia.
Earlier in the day, Hawaii’s governor, Josh Green, said data from Midway Atoll, between Japan and Hawaii, measured tsunami waves from peak to trough of almost 2 metres. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said on Wednesday morning that there is no further tsunami threat to Guam, Rota, Tinian or Saipan and Japan’s Meteorological Agency downgraded it’s tsunami warnings to advisories.
Green said Black Hawk helicopters had 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 added. Parts of California’s coast remain under a tsunami warnings and advisories Wednesday morning, according to the National Tsunami Warning Center.
The center states that tsunami warnings “mean that a tsunami with significant inundation is expected or occurring.”
“Warnings indicate that widespread dangerous coastal flooding accompanied by powerful currents are possible and may continue for several hours after the initial wave arrival” it adds.
The US National Weather Service in Los Angeles reported early Wednesday a “rapid and damaging surge” at the Port San Luis gauge, “going from low to high tide in just a few minutes”.
Waves as high as 3.6ft (1.09 meters) were recorded in Crescent City, California on Wednesday morning.
Tsunami advisories were also in effect for parts of the coastal areas of Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Canada’s British Columbia.
On Tuesday night local time in Hawaii, Hawaii’s governor, Josh Green, said that data from Midway Atoll, between Japan and Hawaii, measured tsunami waves from peak to trough of almost 6ft (2 metres).
Green said Black Hawk helicopters were 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 added.
Cars jammed streets and highways in Honolulu as the tsunami alerts coincided with the Tuesday afternoon rush hour. Warning sirens blared as people moved to higher ground. Hawaii schools cancelled after-school and evening activities.Cars jammed streets and highways in Honolulu as the tsunami alerts coincided with the Tuesday afternoon rush hour. Warning sirens blared as people moved to higher ground. Hawaii schools cancelled after-school and evening activities.
There were long lines at gas stations near downtown Honolulu, with standstill traffic even in areas away from the shoreline.There were long lines at gas stations near downtown Honolulu, with standstill traffic even in areas away from the shoreline.
The San Francisco department of emergency management issued a warning and said it was working with public safety agencies to determine whether evacuation of coastal areas would be necessary.
In Huntington Beach, California, lifeguards and police were asking people to leave the beaches, which would remain closed while the tsunami warning was in effect and the small northern California community of Crescent City turned on its tsunami sirens to warn residents about possible waves.
An up-to-date map of tsunami warnings, advisories, and watches can be found on a map at the US tsunami warning system’s website.An up-to-date map of tsunami warnings, advisories, and watches can be found on a map at the US tsunami warning system’s website.
The Associated Press contributed to this reportThe Associated Press contributed to this report