The strongest earthquake since 2011 prompts tsunami warnings in Hawaii and Alaska
One of the 10 powerful earthquakes recorded so far, the magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck on Russian coasts on July 29, leading to a widespread tsunami warning.
HONOLULU – Hawaiian islands fell into chaos on the afternoon of July 29th as people posed for a statewide tsunami warning. The sirens blew by hour, urging people to evacuate the coastline as quickly as possible, before the first wave expected in the evening.
The warning was triggered following an 8.8 earthquake from the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, according to the US Geological Survey. The tremor also sparked various alerts across the US West Coast, Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, but was expected to hit Hawaii the most violently.
The Honolulu Emergency Management Agency has called for evacuation of several coastal areas. “A tsunami has been created that could cause damage along the coastlines of all Hawaiian islands,” the agency said in a bulletin. “We should take urgent action to protect our lives and property.”
Shortly after the first sirens disappeared around 3pm, Honolulu’s streets were crowded with tourists including Hub Waikiki – and people quickly moved to the highlands and tried to leave the coastal evacuation zone.
Waikiki traffic quickly became a congestion of cars trying to leave their beachside neighborhoods, with some residents reporting long lines at gas stations. The statewide, businesses and facilities such as Hawaii’s Humane Society were quickly closed. According to Hawaii visitors and the Convention Bureau, hotels near the coast have begun vertical evacuation to the fourth floor.
Oahu resident Megan Lee said he hit more traffic than usual at his home from work to commute. “It’s nice to see people take it seriously,” Lee told USA Today. “It’s always scary to get an alert like that.”
The alerts evoked memories of the erroneous missile alert of 2018. When residents woke up to an emergency warning notice that ballistic missiles were ongoing. The island residents scrambled to find shelter before learning that it was sent as an error.
Lee, who was on Oahu during the false missile warning, said she felt insensitive. “Unfortunately, I’ll try not to take sirens seriously,” she said. “We get a lot of alarms in Hawaii. We see people surfing because of the tsunami.” Hawaii residents are used to the sounds of sirens, considering that they are being tested on the first business day of each month.
Most beach fans and surfers, but not all, escaped the beach after the siren was quick.
A live camera feed hosted by the website Surfline.com showed surfers in the ocean off Waikiki Beach at 5pm local time. We also saw two skim borders on the beach. Within minutes to the predicted First Wave, the water was empty and the boats moved further into the sea from the harbor and the marina.
For those who live more inland, like Honolulu resident Julie Simmer, the concerns have become more subdued. “For myself, I’m not worried,” Shimmer told USA Today.
“I think that’s great (states) are more cautious,” she added. “Just be prepared, it’s best to be prepared at all times.”
According to Honolulu Beat, travelers are part of the uncertainty, with several flights cancelled or delayed in Honolulu. Flights heading to Hawaii were decouped while Kahului and Hiro International Airports were closed. Airlines that serve the island, such as Hawaii Airlines, issued travel exemptions from July 29th to 30th.
In a statement sent Tuesday afternoon, Honolulu Mayor Rick Brangardi said: “Residents and visitors are urged to monitor local media for updates and stay away from the coastline.
“I hope that’s not a big deal.”
Chris Anderson said he wasn’t taking the chance.
The longtime artist from Lahaina, Hawaii, along with his wife, Melanie, received an alert, heard the sirens, saw police heading door to door within the Oceanside Condo Complex and quickly began packing duffel bags, urging residents to pack and leave.
The couple confirmed that they had enough baby prescriptions and diapers for the latest arrival, which ultimately became enough food for their two cats, for short, by their four-month-old son David Cameron, who was called “DC.”
“They said the waves would crash in about an hour and a half,” Anderson told USA Today over the phone about the police warning. “I hope it’s not a big deal.”
Anderson said they were fleeing to the high ground of a friend’s house on the hillside of Canapali, about an hour’s drive away.
“I’m just calming down. It still doesn’t make sense to go crazy,” Anderson said. “I have to be strong for my wife and son. I’d be better off being a level head in the family.”
Anderson hopes not to lose another home or business for Mother Nature. He lost both in a Hawaiian wildfire that left more than 100 deaths two years ago and destroyed 2,000 more structures.
He also has less than two weeks since reopening the larger space for a print cellar in Lachania, one of the town’s oldest and most famous art galleries, “literally a two-minute walk from the ocean.”
After working at the gallery for 15 years, Anderson took ownership after the death of his former owner, Alan Walker, who died last July.
“My savings have been spent opening a new gallery,” Anderson said. “Things are finally back to normal.”
Now, Anderson hopes that his future will not be washed away.
“Fingers crossed,” he said.
