30.07.2025 14:52
After the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that occurred off the coast of Kamchatka, Russia, the Pacific Basin went on alert. The Federal Emergency Management Agency in the United States issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas in Hawaii following the earthquake in the Pacific Ocean and requested evacuations. As people began to flee after the warning, traffic became congested.
A magnitude 8.8 earthquake occurred in the early morning hours off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia. The earthquake caused great panic not only in Russia but throughout the entire Pacific Basin. Following the severe tremor, a tsunami alert was activated for countries in the Pacific region.
TSUNAMI PANIC IN THE PACIFIC BASIN
Emergency evacuations were initiated along the coastlines, especially in Hawaii, Japan, the west coast of the United States, and the South Pacific islands. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) issued a tsunami warning for Hawaii immediately after announcing the earthquake's magnitude of 8.8.
"EVACUATE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY"
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the United States also requested the immediate evacuation of coastal areas in Hawaii following the earthquake in the Pacific Ocean. A message regarding the evacuation call was shared on the social media platform X by FEMA. The message urged citizens in coastal areas of Hawaii to "take action immediately," stating that evacuation routes were generally marked with wave symbols and arrows pointing to higher ground. The message called on citizens in coastal areas to "Evacuate the area immediately."
ESCAPE TRAFFIC IN HAWAII
As sirens sounded statewide, a massive exodus began in many islands, especially in Maui, along the coastal areas. Local authorities urged citizens to move to higher ground.
VEHICLES COULDN'T MOVE DUE TO CONGESTION
Following maps titled 'evacuate immediately if you are in the red zone,' residents and tourists flooded the roads in Hawaii. Images shared on social media showed heavy traffic around Honolulu and its surroundings. The shared images revealed that vehicles were stuck in the same spot for hours due to traffic.
WAVE HEIGHTS COULD REACH 3 METERS
Hawaii Governor Josh Green stated, "This will not just hit a beach; it will be a wave that surrounds the islands. Move away from the coasts immediately." The Mayor of Honolulu similarly urged the public to move to higher elevations.
According to estimates, wave heights along some northern Hawaiian coasts could reach up to 3 meters (approximately 10 ft).