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Tsunami waves began to hit the west coast of the United States early Wednesday morning, following the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that shook the Russian peninsula of Kamchatka, triggering tsunami alerts across the Pacific.
"Due to a major earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning has been issued for residents of Hawaii. A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the U.S. Pacific coast. Japan is also in the affected zone. Visit https://tsunami.gov for the latest information. STAY SAFE AND SECURE!", wrote President Donald Trump on social media.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the first waves, with heights exceeding 1 meter (1.07 meters in Crescent City), reached the shores of northern California shortly before 1:00 a.m. local time.
The affected areas include, in addition to Crescent City, Humboldt Bay and other parts of the California coastline.
Authorities in Crescent City have urged the population to remain alert and stay away from the water.
The activity also extended south, reaching San Francisco at 1:12 a.m., where rapid tidal fluctuations were recorded.
"Now we are seeing tidal fluctuations of 0.6 to 0.76 meters in just 15 minutes," the NWS reported on X.
“This can generate very dangerous currents at beaches and harbors,” they added.
The message is clear: stay away from the water. Authorities reiterate that, although the first waves have already reached the shore, new surges may occur in the coming hours.
Crescent City, a community of fewer than 6,000 residents located just 24 kilometers from the Oregon border, has been identified as the area at the highest risk of flooding.
The city was placed under a tsunami alert from the early hours of Tuesday night.
"The local government stated in a statement that this phenomenon is expected to last until tomorrow."
The alert extended along the entire west coast: from Southern California to Oregon and Washington.
In Arena Cove, waves reached 0.49 meters; in Monterey, 0.43 meters; and in Crescent City, in addition to recordings of over one meter, other smaller waves were also measured, according to reports from CNN.
The strongest earthquake in 14 years shakes Russia
The event that triggered this chain of alerts was a magnitude 8.8 earthquake, recorded at 7:24 p.m. ET (Eastern Time, USA), just 8.2 miles (13.1 km) deep off the coast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, in the far eastern part of Russia.
It is the strongest earthquake on the planet in the last 14 years, and its effects were strongly felt throughout the Kamchatka region.
There, several people were injured while trying to hurriedly evacuate buildings; a patient jumped out of a window from a hospital, and a medical team had to secure a patient during surgery amidst the tremors.
The Institute of Oceanology of Russia reported that the waves generated by the tsunami in some areas of the Russian coast reached heights between 33 and 49 feet (10 to 15 meters).
In Severo-Kurilsk, the waves exceeded 19 feet (5.8 meters), causing power outages and sweeping fishing boats out to sea.
A kindergarten was damaged in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, and several buildings have been closed for inspection and repairs.
Japan and Hawaii also on alert
The magnitude of the earthquake triggered emergency protocols across the northern Pacific, including Japan, where more than 2 million people in over 220 prefectures received evacuation orders, from Hokkaido to Okinawa.
The Chief Secretary of the Japanese Cabinet, Yoshimasa Hayashi, warned that "the waves could remain high for at least a day."
In Hawaii, authorities issued a tsunami alert on Tuesday afternoon.
Residents were urged to evacuate to higher ground, and tourists staying in hotels were directed to move to upper floors.
Air traffic was suspended at several airports, including Hilo, to facilitate evacuations.
Although the waves were ultimately smaller than feared, one measuring 5.7 feet (1.74 meters) was detected in Kahului (Maui). At 10:45 PM local time, authorities downgraded the alert to a advisory and allowed people to return to their homes.
What do tsunami alerts mean?
The event also serves as a reminder to understand the different alert levels issued by the National Meteorological Service:
Tsunami Warning: indicates a possible distant threat. It requires staying alert for updates.
Tsunami Warning: it indicates that dangerous activity in the water, such as strong currents or unusual tides, is likely occurring or already happening. It is advised to stay away from beaches and ports.
Tsunami alert: indicates the imminent presence of dangerous waves that can cause serious damage. It requires immediate evacuations to higher ground.
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