Millions of Americans are bracing for a tsunami as five-foot waves hit Hawaii following a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Russia.
Residents in Hawaii were forced to evacuate from coastal areas as the entire island chain braced for the impact to strike. Water was seen receding at around 7.40pm local time, or 1.40am EST.
The California and Oregon border is now also under a tsunami warning, while advisories remained in effect for the rest of the West Coast of the United States.
The first tsunami waves hit Hawaii at 8.20pm local time, 2.20am EST. Water levels were above 4 feet in Haleiwa on Oahu’s north shore, reaching 5 feet just minutes later and causing floods.
Oahu Emergency Management warned residents: ‘Tsunami waves are currently impacting Hawaii. Take action NOW!’
In California, the first waves hit the coast at Crescent City near the Oregon border just after midnight local time, while tsunami waves hit Washington state not long after.
President Donald Trump urged Americans to ‘STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE.’
Locals were seen running to supermarkets to stock up on water and other essentials as Gov. Josh Green signed an emergency proclamation for the state.
‘We pray that we won’t lose any loved ones,’ the governor said in a news conference as he warned the public to not ‘go out until we give you the all clear.’
Photos posted online also showed bumper-to-bumper traffic on a Honolulu highway as residents scrambled to get to higher ground. On Oahu, the US Army and Navy opened Kolekole Pass and sections of Schofield Barracks on Oahu to help with the evacuation efforts there as at least one critical traffic accident was reported.
The National Guard is also prepared to help with any rescue efforts and Blackhawk helicopters have been deployed, but Green warned ‘it is not likely we will recover you’ if residents are swept up in the massive waves.
Beaches along the Southern California coast were closed as a safety precaution, with LAPD helicopters blaring warning sirens and ordering those on boats and at the shore to get to higher ground.
Hawaii residents were urged to evacuate from coastal areas as the entire island chain braced for the impact to strike at 1 am EST or 7pm local time
