Alaska, Hawaii, West Coast Face Tsunami Risk After Earthquake

After one of the strongest earthquakes recorded in history, a tsunami warning was issued across the U.S. West Coast. The 8.8 magnitude quake struck on July 29, approximately 78 miles east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Hawaii and U.S. West Coast on Alert

Hawaii saw waves up to nearly 5.7 feet, while California saw waves up to 4 feet. The most severe impact was expected to hit Hawaii, with a tsunami warning and evacuation orders issued. Waves began arriving in the state after 7pm local time.

As of 5am EST, July 30, the warning was downgraded to a tsunami advisory. The Governor of Hawaii also lifted evacuation orders for coastal inundation zones, however residents were urged to remain cautious.

The majority of the California coast was also under a tsunami advisory, and a smaller area was still under a tsunami warning as of this morning.