‘Worst part’ over: Why tsunami warnings in Japan, Hawaii got downgraded as advisory
Japan’s Meteorological Agency downgraded its tsunami alert to an advisory in the Pacific coast south of Fukushima, with the alert still in place farther north.
During a tsunami advisory triggered by an underwater earthquake off the coast of Russia, a pair of kite surfers recreate near two beach walkers at Ocean Beach in San Francisco on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
A major tsunami is not expected to hit Japan or Hawaii after initial waves arrived following a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Far East on Tuesday. While no significant damage has been reported in either location, authorities have urged caution and advised residents and tourists to stay away from shorelines until an official all-clear is issued.
In its latest update, the US National Weather Service-run centre said that “based on all available data,” a large-scale tsunami was unlikely. However, it cautioned that coastal areas could still pose risks to swimmers, boaters, and those near the shore.
You have exhausted your monthly limit of free stories.
Read more stories for free with an Express account.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency downgraded its tsunami alert to an advisory in the Pacific coast south of Fukushima, with the alert still in place further north.
Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency confirmed that evacuation orders had been lifted and no significant damage had been reported. At 10:39 pm local time, the National Weather Service downgraded Hawaii’s tsunami warning to an advisory. “The worst part of it is over,” said Charles “Chip” McCreery, Director of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, as per CNN. The only remaining tsunami warning in the US is currently in place for Northern California.
Situation in Japan
According to government officials, as reported by NHK world, more than two million people in 229 municipalities in Japan have been urged to evacuate as of 5 pm local time. Authorities have been calling on people to stay away from the sea and move to higher grounds.
Footage shared by Reuters and Nippon News Network showed residents taking refuge on rooftops in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island.
Train and air travel across the island country were disrupted following the tsunami warning, with major commuter lines like the Tokaido Line, Yokosuka Line, and Shonan-Shinjuku Line affected in the greater Tokyo area and beyond. In the northeast, Sendai Airport temporarily closed its runways, suspending all flights in and out of the region, while airlines urged passengers to monitor their websites for updates.
Story continues below this ad
TV monitors show news flash after a powerful earthquake in Russia’s Far East prompted tsunami warnings in parts of Japan, in Osaka, western Japan Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Kai Naito/Kyodo News via AP)
Tsunami waves reached several parts of Japan’s Pacific coast on Wednesday after a powerful earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. A 1.3-meter wave was recorded at Kuji Port in Iwate prefecture, while Nemuro in Hokkaido saw an 2.6 feet wave and Ishinomaki Port in Miyagi recorded a 2.5 feet wave.
High waves were also observed along the Tohoku and Kanto coasts, including a nearly 1-foot wave at Yokohama Port.
No irregularities were reported at Japan’s nuclear power plants on Wednesday, officials confirmed. At the Fukushima Daiichi plant — severely damaged in the 2011 tsunami — around 4,000 workers have taken shelter on higher ground, while continuing to monitor operations remotely to maintain safety.
Situation in Hawaii
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said tsunami waves as high as five feet struck parts of Hawaii, including a wave of over five feet that hit Kahului on Maui’s north-central shore.
Story continues below this ad
According to officials, the first tsunami waves reached Hawaii around 1:17 am local time Wednesday, with local emergency services issuing alerts urging immediate action. “Take Action NOW! Tsunami waves are currently impacting Hawai‘i,” the O‘ahu Department of Emergency Services posted at 2:15 am local time.
Although the initial waves were relatively small, they coincided with high tide and caused flooding in several coastal zones, reported CNN. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported that tsunami waves reached 4.9 feet above normal sea levels at the Hilo gauge in Hawaii, while the Kahului gauge in Maui measured waves at 4 feet.
Ewa Beach residents evacuated to the side of Kunia Road to escape the tsunami threat in Kapolei, Oahu, Hawaii, Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (AP photo/Michelle Bir)
Still, caution is being urged. “Watch for floodwaters … do an assessment and check your structures and your homes,” said James Barros, administrator of the Hawaii EMA. Barros also warned residents returning home to stay away from the coast. “The advisory still means that there’s energy in the water … stay off the beach and stay out of the water,” he said.
Hawaiian Airlines resumed operations after airports reopened, while Alaska Airlines announced it would restart flights Wednesday morning. All flights in and out of Maui were cancelled overnight, leaving about 200 people sheltering in the airport terminal, Governor Josh Green said.
Story continues below this ad
What’s next?
Although the threat level in Hawaii and Japan has decreased, experts continue to monitor the situation. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center is assessing real-time data and will issue an all-clear once they confirm there is no further danger.
Until then, officials warn the public to remain cautious.
The quake’s epicenterwas near Russia’s remote Severo-Kurilsk district, where tsunami waves battered the coast. A state of emergency was declared in the area after waves tore boats from moorings and swept away storage containers, according to Russia’s state media TASS.
Videos from the scene showed destruction along the shoreline, although reports of casualties remain unclear.
The seismic event triggered alerts across the Pacific. The Philippines, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Panama all issued tsunami warnings, advisories, or watches, depending on their proximity and coastal conditions.
Story continues below this ad
Governments across Asia and Latin America moved quickly to warn citizens, evacuate vulnerable zones, and initiate precautionary protocols.
