A massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Russia on Tuesday, sparking tsunami warnings — and evacuations — in Hawaii and alerts for other areas of the U.S. West Coast.
In a message posted on social media, President Donald Trump urged people to “STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE” and to monitor updates on the tsunami.gov online dashboard.
In Hawaii, the National Weather Service called for “urgent action” to protect lives and property.
Officials there urged residents to leave beaches and evacuate low-lying areas for higher ground or to take shelter on at least the fourth floor of a building.
The first tsunami waves were forecast to reach Hawaii just after 7:15 p.m. local time — or 1:15 a.m. ET. Destructive tsunami waves are expected, according to Oahu Emergency Management.
All shores of the island are at risk because tsunami waves wrap around islands, according to the National Weather Service.
“The danger can continue for many hours after the initial wave as subsequent waves arrive. Tsunami heights cannot be predicted and the first wave may not be the largest,” the NWS said in an alert.
An 8.7 magnitude earthquake near Russia prompts tsunami alerts along the West Coast, Alaska and Hawaii.
NOAA
In a press conference Tuesday evening,