Hawaii officials lifted evacuation orders late Monday night after tsunami waves reached the islands’ shores following one of the strongest earthquakes in modern history — an 8.8 magnitude quake that struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on July 29.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center had initially issued a warning for the entire Hawaiian archipelago, prompting widespread evacuations from low-lying coastal areas and scenes of traffic jams and empty beaches. But by 10:45 p.m. local time, the threat was downgraded to a tsunami advisory, as wave activity appeared lower than feared and no major damage was reported.
“I spoke to Governor of Hawaii @GovHawaii and the evacuation order has been lifted for coastal inundation zones,” U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote on X. “Please be careful when returning and watch out for damage. We will continue to monitor in Hawaii, Alaska, and California.”
Early wave readings showed amplitudes as high as 5.7 feet in Kahului, Maui, and 4.9 feet in Hilo, Hawaii Island. Officials urged residents to remain cautious, stay off beaches, and avoid entering the ocean, warning that dangerous currents could persist for several hours.
Despite fears of devastation, Hawaii Governor Josh Green assured residents that the state had prepared well. “Look, everything has been OK so far. We haven’t seen a big wave,” he said during an evening update, noting that tsunami sirens and evacuation protocols had worked as intended.
The quake, which hit near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in far eastern Russia, also triggered tsunami warnings across the broader Pacific region. Japan, the U.S. West Coast, Alaska, Guam, and several Pacific island nations were all placed under varying levels of tsunami alert. A tsunami wave over 13 feet was recorded near Russia’s Severo-Kurilsk coast, and minor injuries were reported in Petropavlovsk following building damage.
In California, waves of up to 3.6 feet were reported at Crescent City, a historically tsunami-vulnerable area. The National Weather Service issued a tsunami warning for the stretch between Cape Mendocino and the Oregon-California border, urging residents to avoid coastal areas, harbors, and marinas.
“Tsunami activity is continuing to build this morning as we approach the 4 AM minor high tide,” the Eureka Weather Service posted on X. Hazardous conditions were also expected to continue in Washington and Alaska.
While tsunami advisories remain in effect for parts of Alaska — including the Aleutian Islands and the Alaska Peninsula — the National Weather Service warned that dangerous currents and water fluctuations could persist for days.
The U.S. Tsunami Warning System said hazardous tsunami waves could still affect coastal areas of Japan, Russia, and some Pacific territories. Japan issued its own warnings and began evacuations along parts of its eastern coastline, still haunted by the devastating 2011 tsunami.
President Donald Trump posted a public warning on social media, saying: “Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii… STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!”
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) emphasized that even small tsunami waves can be deadly due to strong currents. In 2011, a man near Crescent City, California, was swept to sea while photographing an approaching tsunami.
Monday’s event was triggered by one of the top 10 strongest earthquakes ever recorded. “Any earthquake over magnitude 7.0 poses a significant tsunami threat, even across vast distances,” said AccuWeather meteorologist Dan DePodwin. “The public must take such risks seriously until the all-clear is given.”
Although Hawaii has been spared major damage this time, its history of deadly tsunamis — like the 1946 Hilo disaster — means residents and officials remain vigilant. Emergency response systems, sirens, and evacuation routes were tested and praised for their effectiveness.
Authorities continue to monitor wave activity across the Pacific and urge beachgoers and boaters to steer clear of the water until the advisory is lifted completely.
