Hawaii at risk? Tsunami warning as monster 10-foot waves feared after 8.8 earthquake in Russia. Check latest update

Tsunami waves up to 10 feet high could hit parts of northern Hawaii after a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Wednesday off the coast of Russia, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned. Hawaii Governor Josh Green urged residents to evacuate all coastal areas immediately, warning them not to underestimate the threat.

"It will not hit one beach, it will wrap around the islands," he said. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi echoed similar call, telling people to move to higher ground without delay.

The tsunami warning for the state of Hawaii has been downgraded to an advisory, as of 10:39 p.m. HST, according to the National Weather Service. The “worst part of it” is over, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center Director Chip McCreery said Tuesday night, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported. The only tsunami warning remaining in the US is in Northern California.


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Oahu tsunami update

Evacuations have been lifted across Oahu, which includes the city of Honolulu, the Oahu Department of Emergency Management said on X. People are now allowed to return to evacuated areas. It comes shortly after tsunami warnings for all of Hawaii were downgraded to advisories.

Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows that tsunami waves have begun to hit the US, with initial waves reaching Hawaii and California's coastlines. A wave of 4.9 feet was recorded in Hailo, while waves of nearly six feet were recorded in Maui, according to NOAA data.

The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency warned that even larger waves could be seen over the next several hours.

"These massive waves can wrap around the island shore, so impacts may occur at any point along the coast," it said on X. "It's not over yet."

However, AP reported that Hawaii downgraded its tsunami warnings to advisories after a powerful earthquake. Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan, the Adjutant General of the State of Hawaii Department of Defense, said an advisory means there is the potential for strong currents and dangerous waves, as well as flooding on beaches or in harbours.

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Where is a tsunami warning in place?

According to Newsweek, tsunami warnings are in place for parts of the U.S., including Hawaii, Alaska and California. Tsunami alerts have also been issued in Japan, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, New Zealand, Peru and Mexico. Japan ordered 1.9 million people to evacuate coastal areas, warning that tsunami waves could continue for more than a day

Meanwhile, Russia's Sakhalin region declared a state of emergency in the northern Kuril Islands and the Severo-Kurilsk district. Kuril Islands mayor Alexander Ovsyannikov said that "everyone" in the area had been evacuated. "There was enough time, a whole hour. So everyone was evacuated, all the people are in the tsunami safety zone," he said, according to AFP.

In a news conference on Tuesday, Governor Green said: "So far we have not seen a wave of consequence, which is a great relief to us... We expect to be about two to three hours at least until we can call 'all clear.' So far though, at the moment, so good."

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He also emphasized the importance of staying alert: "We don't want anyone to let their guard down, we want to go another couple of hours. As the waves cycle smaller and smaller, that's how we'll know that we're ending this concern." Green added that there had been no reports of power outages, and that authorities did not plan to preemptively cut electricity.

All flights in and out of Maui were canceled on Tuesday night, leaving around 200 people sheltering in the terminal, Green said. Hawaiian Airlines has now resumed flights as of Wednesday morning.

What about California?

California has also recorded its first tsunami waves, with rising water levels reported in Crescent City, near the Oregon border in Northern California. A tsunami advisory is also in effect elsewhere along the California coastline. While wave heights are expected to stay below one foot in these areas, officials warn that strong currents and hazardous coastal conditions may occur.

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The California Office of Emergency Services said it is coordinating closely with the National Tsunami Warning Center, the NWS, and local emergency teams to evaluate any impacts. "Residents in coastal areas are urged to stay alert, follow instructions from local officials, and monitor trusted sources for the latest information," it said.

A powerful 8.8-magnitude undersea earthquake off Russia's eastern coast triggered tsunami waves across the Pacific Wednesday morning. Evacuation orders have been issued for large parts of the US west coast with authorities ordering people to "take action now" and get away from the sea.