Ottawa resident Mark Kirchhof and his family were in Hawaii on Tuesday afternoon, searching for beaches when they came across news of a powerful earthquake off Russia’s eastern Kamchatka Peninsula. Subsequently, they received emergency alerts on their phones warning of potential tsunamis approaching Hawaii.
The earthquake, measuring 8.8 magnitude, led to tsunami warnings and evacuation orders in Hawaii, Japan, and along the western coasts of the Americas. Sirens blared in Hawaii, causing traffic jams in Honolulu as people sought higher ground. Police used megaphones on beaches, urging people to move away from the water.
Kirchhof, vacationing on Hawaii’s Big Island with his family, described the anxiety caused by the repeated sirens and hourly warnings. Despite being outside the evacuation zone, they observed congested highways but were relieved later when reports indicated smaller waves than anticipated.
The earthquake, the strongest since 2011 in northeast Japan, prompted evacuation orders for nearly two million Japanese residents. Although small tsunamis were reported in Japan, Alaska, and Hawaii, there were no fatalities, and the tsunami warnings have been downgraded to advisories in affected regions.
Experts emphasized the importance of following advisories and staying away from the water. Evacuation scenes in Honolulu showed long lines at gas stations and people seeking higher ground. Residents shared their experiences of the chaotic situation, expressing gratitude that the outcome wasn’t as severe as feared.