HONOLULU– The first waves of a tsunami expected to be around three feet in height will hit Hawaii at 7:17 p.m. local time after one of the strongest earthquakes in history struck off Russia’s eastern coast.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green warned residents to follow evacuation orders and get away from the coastlines and seek higher ground.
“It is not a regular wave,” he said. “It will actually kill you.”
MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE TRIGGERS TSUNAMI ALERTS FOR US WEST COAST, ALASKA, HAWAII
Green said though wave heights are anticipated to be three feet, the force of the waves can move cars, trees and other debris, potentially being deadly to anyone in their path.
Vehicles depart Waikiki beach in Oahu, Hawaii on July 29, 2025, after an 8.7 earthquake off of Russia’s far east prompted tsunami alerts. A powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Russia’s far east has prompted tsunami alerts across parts of the Pacific including Japan, Hawaii, Russia and Ecuador, and warnings along the California coast, US authorities said late on July 29. The massive temblor triggered warnings of waves up to three metres (10 feet) possibly hitting the coasts of Russia, Hawaii and even Ecuador and Chile along South America’s west coast, according to the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center based in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Eugene Tanner / AFP) (Photo by EUGENE TANNER/AFP via Getty Images)
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“It is, again, not just a three-foot wave,” he said. “It is a forceful wall of water.”
If doing a vertical evacuation, Green said to go at least four stories up to help avoid impacts.
Sirens warning residents of impending danger have sounded once an hour up until the last 30 minutes prior to the expected first wave.
A man checks his mobile phone in Oahu, Hawaii on July 29, 2025, after an 8.7 earthquake off of Russia’s far east prompted tsunami alerts. A powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Russia’s far east has prompted tsunami alerts across parts of the Pacific including Japan, Hawaii, Russia and Ecuador, and warnings along the California coast, US authorities said late on July 29. The massive temblor triggered warnings of waves up to three metres (10 feet) possibly hitting the coasts of Russia, Hawaii and even Ecuador and Chile along South America’s west coast, according to the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center based in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Eugene Tanner / AFP) (Photo by EUGENE TANNER/AFP via Getty Images)
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Director of the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency Major General Stephen Logan said impacts could extend into several hours after the first wave.
All Hawaiian ports and vessels have been shut down in preparation.
The FOX Forecast Center confirmed tsunami waves have been recorded along the coasts of Russia, Japan and Alaska as well.
