Tsunami warning live: After Russia's powerful quake, tsunami reaches Washington, Oregon & California

Russian authorities on the Kamchatka peninsula and the Kuril islands have cancelled a tsunami warning after a powerful earthquake struck nearby Wednesday.

They say some risk remains.

The regional branch of Russia's Emergency Ministry on Kamchatka warned that scientists expect aftershocks at magnitudes of up to 7.5. It said that more tsunamis are possible in the Avacha Bay, where the regional capital of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is located.

In a dramatic and chilling moment caught on camera, a video shared on X has gone viral, showing the exact moment a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, right in the middle of a surgery.

The video, reportedly from a hospital in Kamchatka, shows a team of surgeons performing a delicate operation when the entire room begins to violently shake. Lights flicker, equipment sways, and ceiling tiles appear to tremble. Despite the chaos, the surgical team remains astonishingly calm, continuing the procedure with focused precision, even as tremors rattle the operating theatre. Read more

Hawaii and part of Japan have downgraded tsunami warning to advisories. A very powerful earthquake struck Russia's Far East earlier today.  It sent tsunami waves into Japan, Hawaii and across the Pacific. However, no major damage has been reported so far, but authorities warned people away from shore.

Additionally, 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.

Waves of up to 4 metres are expected to hit the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia in the early hours of Wednesday, after a huge earthquake struck off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, local authorities said. Waves ranging from "1.10 metres to 4 metres" on the island of Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas archipelago are expected overnight from around 1:00 am local time (1100 GMT), the High Commission of the French Republic in French Polynesia said in a statement, adding that the islands of Ua Huka and Hiva Oa are also expected to be affected. - AFP

Waves of up to 4 metres expected in French Polynesia after Russia quake: authorities

According to a CNN report by Matt Rehbein, Hawaii officials are continuing to assess conditions before issuing a full all-clear following the downgraded tsunami threat. Although the tsunami warning has been reduced to an advisory, authorities are urging residents to remain cautious as they return to evacuated areas.

“Watch for floodwaters … do an assessment and check your structures and your homes,” said James Barros, Administrator of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, during a press conference.

Major General Stephen Logan, Director of Hawaii EMA, noted that the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center is still analyzing data and has yet to issue a final all-clear. “Those who have evacuated may safely return home based on county assessments and directives,” he added.

Despite the lowered threat level, officials continue to advise people to avoid the coastline. “The advisory still means that there’s energy in the water, so as you return home, still stay off the beach and stay out of the water,” Barros emphasised.

Tsunami advisories issued for several coastal areas in the Philippines have been cancelled. The Department of Science and Technology stated that no significant sea level disturbances or destructive tsunami waves were observed based on the latest data.

A tsunami advisory has been issued for most coastal regions of British Columbia, Canada’s westernmost province. Residents are urged to stay away from the ocean, follow official guidance, and wait until authorities declare it safe to return.

Tsunami warnings for Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands have been lifted. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed the cancellation, stating, “There is no further tsunami threat to Guam, Rota, Tinian or Saipan.”

Nearly 2 million residents across parts of Japan have been ordered to evacuate as a precaution. While initial tsunami waves reaching the country have been relatively small, Japan's meteorological agency warns they could rise to as high as 3 meters (9.8 feet).

Residents along the eastern coast of Colombia, particularly in Chocó and Nariño, have been instructed to evacuate beaches and coastal zones, according to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management. The agency is urging people to move inland to higher ground for safety.

As of 10:39 p.m. HST, the tsunami warning for Hawaii has been downgraded to an advisory, according to the National Weather Service.

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center Director Chip McCreery said Tuesday night that “the worst part of it” is over, as reported by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

The only remaining tsunami warning in the U.S. is now in effect for Northern California.

Tsunami waves reached the U.S. West Coast early Wednesday, impacting shorelines along Washington, Oregon, and California. So far, the highest wave heights have been recorded at:

Arena Cove, California – 1.6 feet

Crescent City, California – 1.5 feet

Monterey, California – 1.4 feet

A tsunami warning remains in effect for the northern California coast as authorities continue to monitor conditions.

The National Weather Service warns that dangerous currents and additional wave surges may persist for hours. People are advised to steer clear of beaches, harbors, and piers until official alerts are lifted.

A tsunami warning is still active for northern California, while advisories continue for the rest of California’s coast, including the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as the Oregon and Washington coastlines.

Tsunami waves began arriving early Wednesday along the coastlines of Washington, Oregon, and California. Notable wave heights include 1.6 feet at Arena Cove, 1.5 feet at Crescent City, and 1.4 feet in Monterey, California.

Waves have reached Hawaii, prompting urgent evacuation orders. Honolulu’s mayor called on residents to move to higher ground, while Governor Josh Green stressed, “It will not hit one beach, it will wrap around the islands,” urging people to leave coastal zones immediately.

A massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia’s far eastern coast has set off tsunami warnings for multiple Pacific nations. The quake, tied for the sixth strongest ever recorded, has already sent waves crashing into parts of Alaska, Russia, and Japan.