Tsunami highlights: Evacuations ordered in Chile, Colombia; Japan, Hawaii lower alerts

Ireland's Deputy PM Simon Harris has issued a message for the citizens to adhere to instructions laid out amid a tsunami warning. “To all Irish citizens in the Pacific region, please carefully follow the instructions of the authorities in relation to the tsunami threat message,” he wrote on X.

At least one person died as Japan braced for a tsunami after an alert was issued, triggered by 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Russia. While tsunami waves measuring 1.3 m hit the shore in Japan, the waves were “initially weaker than feared,” the Japan Times reported.

With the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC)'s update of no major tsunami expected to hit Hawaii, the areas from where people were earlier evacuated in the US state have been declared safe for return.

While tsunami waves did hit Hawaii on Wednesday, there is no major tsunami expected to hit the US state, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) said in an update.

Tsunami waves were observed in Hawaii and parts of California following alerts triggered by a powerful earthquake in Russia. According to Hawaii Governor Josh Green, “Everything has been OK so far, we haven’t seen a big wave." A tsunami warning was issued across the Pacific after a magnitude 8.8 quake struck at a depth of 21 kilometers off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday.

Following a magnitude 8.8 quake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, US's Hawaii and parts of California are bracing for a tsunami, as alerts have been issued across the Pacific. According to the Governor in Hawaii, tsunami is expected to “not just hit one beach, it will wrap around the islands", news agency AP reported.

Russia quake, tsunami live updates: Tsunami waves measuring 1.6 feet above tide level were observed at Arena Cove, California, as the tsunami made landfall along the US West Coast, the National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed. The waves were detected by the tide gauge at Arena Cove and are continuing to move along the California coastline.

Russia quake, tsunami live updates: Hawaii Department of Transportation update (as of July 29, 2025, 10 PM local time):

Residents are reminded not to return to tsunami evacuation zones until authorities confirm it is safe.

At Hilo International Airport, evacuation gates have been closed, and preparations are underway to reopen the runway for Wednesday’s flights.

At Kahului Airport (OGG), all flights have been cancelled. Passengers are currently sheltering in the terminal and will be rescreened before departure in the morning.

At Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), baggage screening was temporarily halted during the first tsunami wave arrival but has now resumed, and flights have restarted.

Travellers are advised to check directly with airlines for the latest flight schedules.

Russia quake, tsunami live updates: A tsunami has reached the California coast, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), and has been detected on the tide gauge at Arena Cove, California, as it continues moving down the coastline.

Earlier, in Hawaii, coastal residents were urged to evacuate to higher ground or move to the fourth floor or above of nearby buildings. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) instructed all vessels to leave harbours as the tsunami approached the islands.

"Take Action! Destructive tsunami waves expected," the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management posted on X (formerly Twitter).

By 0730 GMT, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) confirmed that tsunami waves of up to 1.7 metres (5.5 feet) were striking the Hawaiian Islands. Though Hawaii Governor Josh Green initially stated that no significant waves had made landfall, all flights to and from Maui were cancelled as a precaution.

Tsunami warning live updates: A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Russia's Far East on Wednesday morning, triggering tsunami waves across the Pacific, including Japan, Hawaii, and Alaska. Though no major damage has been reported, authorities warned the threat could persist for over a day.

In Kamchatka, ports were flooded and residents fled inland. Tsunami waves between 3 to 4 metres were recorded. In northern Japan, white frothy waves hit the shore, prompting evacuations amid memories of the 2011 disaster. One person was reported injured, and no irregularities were found at nuclear plants.

In Hawaii, traffic gridlock reached even inland areas. Governor Josh Green said 6-foot waves were detected at Midway Atoll and warned the impact on Hawaii could vary. Black Hawk helicopters and high-water vehicles were on standby.

Alaska’s Aleutian Islands saw waves up to 1.4 feet. The National Tsunami Warning Centre cautioned that tsunamis involve a series of powerful waves, not just one, and their effects can linger. “They cross oceans as fast as jet aircraft,” said coordinator Dave Snider.

Tsunami advisories were issued for much of the US West Coast, Canada’s British Columbia, and parts of California, Washington, and Oregon, where waves between 1–2 feet were expected. The Oregon Emergency Department warned of dangerous currents despite no major tsunami risk.

In Russia, several injuries were reported. Severokurilsk, a coastal town, saw flooding in its fishing port, with boats swept away. Mayor Alexander Ovsyannikov said no serious damage occurred, though electricity was cut as inspections began.

The quake struck at 8:25 am Japan time, about 119 km southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, at a depth of 20.7 km, followed by strong aftershocks, including one of 6.9 magnitude.

Tsunami warning live updates: A haunting prediction from a Japanese manga has resurfaced following the powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, sending tsunami waves toward parts of Japan. The event has drawn renewed attention to manga artist Ryo Tatsuki, often referred to as the "New Baba Vanga," who had allegedly warned of a major disaster in July 2025.

Interest in her prophecy had already been gaining momentum online, especially across Japanese social platforms, with trending hashtags like #July5Disaster.

As reports of the quake emerged, people revisited Tatsuki’s manga Watashi ga Mita Mirai (The Future I Saw), published in 1999. Many readers claim the manga eerily foreshadowed several past catastrophes, including the deaths of Princess Diana, Freddie Mercury, the COVID-19 pandemic, and most notably, the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Although Baba Vanga passed away in 1996, her name continues to circulate—especially now in 2025—as some of her cryptic predictions seem strangely aligned with recent global events. Despite being vague, her forecasts still leave many feeling unsettled when they appear to mirror real-world happenings.

Tsunami warning live updates: American television host and producer Oprah Winfrey has opened access to her private road in Maui, Hawaii, to assist local residents evacuating amid tsunami warnings, her spokesperson told CNN.

“Once the tsunami alerts were issued, we immediately reached out to local law enforcement and FEMA to make sure the road was opened,” the spokesperson said.

Authorities are now managing the evacuation, allowing around 50 vehicles through at a time to maintain safety. The road will stay open for as long as needed.

Meanwhile, a wave exceeding five feet was recorded in Kahului, located on Maui’s north-central coast, and a tsunami warning remains in place across Hawaii, CNN report added

Tsunami warning live updates: After waves hit Hawaii, California is bracing for impact. An 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Russia on Wednesday morning, triggering tsunami warnings for various countries and states in the US.

In California, residents have bee urged to evaucate from coastal areas and move to higher grounds. As per the National Weather Service's Tsunami Warning Center, the first tsunami waves could hit the west coast off the Bay Area as early as 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 30.

Tsunami warning live updates: Following the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Russia, Russian state television aired footage of a tsunami wave sweeping through a coastal town, carrying buildings and debris into the sea.

As per authorities, tsunami waves crashed through Severo-Kurilsk, a Russian town of about 2,000 people, 350 kilometres (217 miles) southwest from the earthquake's epicentre.

A state of emergency has been declared has been declared in the North Kuril District as waves continue to hit the Russian region,

Tsunami warning live updates: Following the massive earthquake in Russia, a tsunami warning has also been activated for eastern region of China. Meanwhile, the Shanghai is bracing for typhoon Co-May. As per state media reports, around 280,000 residents have already been evacuated from the key city.

Tsunami live updates: Hawaiian officials have reported no indication of a major tsunami wave following preparations triggered by a powerful earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, according to Governor Josh Green on Tuesday night.

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency stated that while all commercial harbours have been closed and flights to and from Maui cancelled as a precaution, there are currently no plans to cut power across the islands.

Tsunami live updates: A tsunami advisory means you should leave the water and move away from coastal areas right away. Strong and dangerous currents may continue, so avoid entering the sea or going near the shore until the advisory is officially lifted.

The following areas in Japan are under a tsunami advisory:

Northern part of Japan Sea Coast of Hokkaido

Okhotsk Sea Coast of Hokkaido

Japan Sea Coast of Aomori Prefecture

Mutsu Bay

Tokyo Bay

Ise Bay and Mikawa Bay

Osaka Prefecture

Setonaikai Coast of Hyogo Prefecture

Southern Part of Awaji Island

Okayama Prefecture

Tokushima Prefecture

Bungo Strait Coast of Ehime Prefecture

Kochi Prefecture

Setonaikai Coast of Oita Prefecture

Bungo Strait Coast of Oita Prefecture

Miyazaki Prefecture

Eastern Part of Kagoshima Prefecture

Tanegashima and Yakushima Area

Amami Islands and Tokara Islands

Western Part of Kagoshima Prefecture

Okinawa Main Island Region

Daitojima Area

Miyakojima and Yaeyama Area

Tsunami live updates: A tsunami warning means you must evacuate coastal and riverside areas without delay and move to a safe location, such as higher ground or a designated evacuation building.

Tsunami waves may strike multiple times, so remain in a safe area until the warning is officially lifted.

If possible, continue moving to even higher ground for greater safety. A tsunami warning has been issued for the following regions in Japan:

Eastern part of Pacific Coast of Hokkaido

Central part of Pacific Coast of Hokkaido

Western part of Pacific Coast of Hokkaido

Pacific Coast of Aomori Prefecture

Iwate Prefecture

Miyagi Prefecture

Fukushima Prefecture

Ibaraki Prefecture

Kujukuri and Sotobo Area, Chiba Prefecture

Uchibo Area, Chiba Prefecture

Izu Islands

Ogasawara Islands

Sagami Bay and Miura Peninsula

Shizuoka Prefecture

Pacific Coast of Aichi Prefecture

Southern part of Mie Prefecture

Wakayama Prefecture

Tsunami live updates: The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) reported that the tsunami gauge at Kahului in Maui, Hawaii, recorded an amplitude of 4 feet above the normal sea level. In response to the tsunami threat, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (Hawaii EMA) announced the closure of all commercial harbours across the state as a precautionary safety measure.

Tsunami live updates: The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office in California issued an evacuation warning on Tuesday for all individuals living on boats in Moss Landing, a well-known spot frequented by surfers and tourists, according to CNN.

Officials cautioned that tsunami waves are forecast to hit the Monterey County coast by 12:15 a.m. Pacific Time (3:15 a.m. Eastern Time).

“We are recommending that these individuals seek other lodging arrangements for the duration of the tsunami advisory for California Coastal counties,” the Sheriff’s Office posted on X.

Earlier in the evening, the United States Coast Guard advised that strong currents could endanger vessels and coastal structures. While widespread flooding is not anticipated, damage within harbours remains a possibility.

Tsunami live updates: The tsunami has begun to impact the state of Hawaii, prompting urgent calls for immediate action to safeguard lives and property.

In Hanalei, a sea level gauge recorded tsunami waves reaching an amplitude of 3 feet above the normal sea level, signalling a significant rise in coastal water levels. Authorities are urging residents and visitors to remain vigilant and follow all safety instructions.

Tsunami warning live updates: A tsunami alert issued in Hawaii has warned that tsunami waves are now striking the state, urging residents to take immediate action to safeguard lives and property. The alert explains that a tsunami consists of a series of long ocean waves, with each wave crest lasting between 5 to 15 minutes or even longer, often causing widespread flooding in coastal regions. The threat is expected to persist for several hours due to ongoing wave activity. Authorities cautioned that tsunami waves can wrap efficiently around islands, putting all shores at risk regardless of the direction they face. In some cases, the trough of a wave may expose the seafloor temporarily, but the water will rush back in rapidly. Extremely powerful and unusual currents may also occur near shorelines. Additionally, debris carried by the tsunami increases its destructive impact. If high tide or rough surf coincides with the tsunami, the danger could be significantly intensified.

Tsunami warning live updates: The US Coast Guard has instructed all commercial ships to vacate Hawaii’s ports and prohibited any vessels from entering until tsunami advisories are lifted, CNN reported.

“All harbours in Hawaii have been closed to incoming vessel traffic. Vessels transiting within the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands or inbound to ports in Hawaii shall remain offshore until conditions subside,” CNN quoted a statement from the Coast Guard Oceania District as saying.

Tsunami warning live updates: The mayor of Russia’s northern Kuril Islands district confirmed on Wednesday that all residents were safely evacuated after a tsunami triggered flooding and destroyed buildings.

"Everyone was evacuated. There was enough time, a whole hour. So everyone was evacuated, all the people are in the tsunami safety zone," Mayor Alexander Ovsyannikov stated during a crisis meeting with officials.

Tsunami warning live updates: China's Shanghai evacuated over 280,000 residents, cancelled hundreds of flights and ferry services, and enforced speed restrictions on roads and railways as a tropical storm brought strong winds and heavy rainfall to eastern China.

The storm, Co-May, made landfall in the early hours in Zhoushan, a port city in Zhejiang province. Shortly afterwards, authorities issued a tsunami warning triggered by a powerful earthquake off Russia’s far eastern coast, heightening fears of potentially stronger storm surges along China’s shoreline.