Millions of Americans were under threat of a devastating tsunami following a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Russia.
In Hawaii, sirens wailed as residents were urged to leave coastal areas, with the entire archipelago preparing for impact expected at 1 am EST.
Photos posted online showed bumper-to-bumper traffic on a Honolulu highway as residents scrambled to get to higher ground.
Tsunami advisories extended along the entire West Coast of the United States, and a threat loomed over Japan, where Fukushima nuclear plant workers had to be evacuated.
Waves were expected to reach California at about 3 am EST.
On his Truth Social page, President Donald Trump urged Americans to ‘STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE.’
The US Geological Survey reported the earthquake had a magnitude of 8.8, occurring approximately 84 miles east-southeast of Kamchatka, Russia, at around 7:24 pm EST.
The quake was believed to be the strongest to strike on the entire planet in 14 years.
A tsunami advisory has been extended to cover the entire West Coast of the United States
The quake reached a magnitude of 8.7 and struck about 84 miles east-southeast of Kamchatska at around 7.24pm EST
In Russia, several people were injured, and a kindergarten in Petropavlovsk collapsed as tsunami waves reached Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
Oleg Melnikov, the regional health minister, informed Russia’s TASS news agency, “Unfortunately, several individuals sustained injuries during the quake. Some were hurt while rushing outside, one person jumped from a window, and a woman was injured inside the new airport terminal.”
‘All patients are currently in satisfactory condition, and no serious injuries have been reported so far.’
The Kamchatka branch of the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences also said it was a very powerful earthquake.
However, due to specific characteristics of the epicenter, the shaking intensity was not as severe as might typically be expected from such a large magnitude, as explained in a video on Telegram.
‘Aftershocks are currently ongoing … Their intensity will remain fairly high. However, stronger tremors are not expected in the near future. The situation is under control.’
But in Hawaii, the Department of Emergency Management for Oahu, an island of Hawaii, urged residents on the coast to evacuate the area or at least move to higher ground ahead.
Officials in Guam also urged residents to get off the beaches and harbors.
President Donald Trump urged Americans to ‘STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE’
The tsunami ‘could be destructive’ to coastal areas, authorities at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned.
The warning added that ‘waves reaching more than three meters above the tide level [or about 10 feet] are possible along some coasts of Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.’
The National Weather Service also warned residents they ‘are in danger.’
‘Get away from coastal waters. Move to high ground or inland now. Keep away from the coast until local officials say it is safe to return,’ the department said in an alert.
Meteorologist Matthew Cappucci also urged Americans to ‘prepare to evacuate vertically if warnings are issued.’
‘Move away from beaches, harbors, marinas, bays and inlets. If you’re in a boat and cannot reach shore, sail away from the coast into deeper waters where the tsunami’s energy will be dispersed. Head to a place with an ocean depth of at least 180 feet.’
The earthquake on Tuesday came just over one week after several other tremors struck the area, including one that measured a 7.4 magnitude.
Tuesday’s earthquake is the largest this year, and is the first magnitude 8.0 or higher since 2021.
Kamchatka and Russia’s Far East sit on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a geologically active region that is prone to major earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
