Tsunami Waves Begin Hitting Hawaii Just After 7:15 p.m. Local Time After 8.8 Earthquake Near Russia

A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia’s Kuril Islands on Tuesday, triggering tsunami warnings across the Pacific.

As tsunami waves began hitting Hawaii, authorities rushed into action, preparing for possible devastation.

The islands faced immediate evacuation orders as the waves approached, and local officials quickly began managing the situation.

Initial Tsunami Waves Hit Hawaii

By Tuesday evening, the tsunami waves began hitting Hawaii with full force. The waves reached coastal areas by 7:15 p.m. local time, and sirens sounded across the islands.

In Oahu, the first recorded waves were 4 feet in height. Although authorities feared larger waves, the initial warning was downgraded to an advisory, signaling that the worst may have passed. Experts anticipated that the worst danger would likely follow the first wave.

Hawaii’s Swift Emergency Response

Once the tsunami waves began hitting Hawaii, Hawaii’s emergency response system went into overdrive. Governor Josh Green ordered residents to seek higher ground or shelter in multi-story buildings.

Evacuation orders went out for coastal zones, and officials urged people to stay safe until the danger passed.

By early Wednesday morning, authorities allowed residents in Oahu to return home, but warned that dangerous currents might continue to threaten the region. Officials kept monitoring the situation closely, making sure that people stayed clear of the water.

Global Impact and Aftershocks

The 8.8-magnitude earthquake, one of the strongest ever recorded, sent shockwaves across the Pacific.

Several regions, including Guam, American Samoa, and Japan, were placed under tsunami alerts. Japan’s northern regions faced significant risk, with some areas evacuating thousands of people.

Meanwhile, the earthquake’s aftershocks, including magnitudes 6.3 and 6.9, added further instability to the situation.

Over 3,000 people evacuated the Kamchatka region in Russia as a precaution.

As tsunami waves began hitting Hawaii, authorities continued to monitor the situation. The tsunami threat has since been downgraded, but officials still warn residents to avoid coastal areas due to the ongoing risk of dangerous currents.

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