Honolulu, Hawaii – Hawaii residents are on high alert early Wednesday as tsunami waves up to 5 feet have struck parts of the Big Island and Maui, causing road closures and warnings to stay away from coastal areas until at least 9 a.m. According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, the waves were triggered by a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia, at 11:25 p.m. Tuesday UTC.
Tsunami waves were measured at 5.7 feet in Kahului, Maui, and 4.9 feet in Hilo. All Hawaiian Islands remain under advisory, with additional waves expected. The National Weather Service warns that waves may continue for hours, and the largest may not be the first. Residents are urged to avoid beaches, harbors, and low-lying coastal roads. Emergency officials recommend moving to higher ground, keeping devices charged, and following all official instructions.
Elsewhere, tsunami watches extend along the U.S. West Coast, including Alaska, with agencies monitoring for possible wave activity through the morning. No major impacts have been reported for California, Oregon, or Washington yet, but officials stress the situation remains fluid. Tsunami effects may vary dramatically by location and tide.
Alerts are likely to continue through the day. Stay tuned for updates from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and local emergency management agencies.
