Tsunami waves have begun reaching parts of Hawaii as warnings and advisories are issued across multiple coastal regions following a major earthquake in the Pacific Ocean.
President Donald Trump has issued a message regarding ongoing tsunami threats affecting the United States and surrounding regions.
President Donald Trump returns to the White House from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 15, 2025, in Washington D.C. | Source: Getty Images
“Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii. A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States. Japan is also in the way. Please visit tsunami.gov/ for the latest information. STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!” Trump wrote.
The message was shared on both Truth Social and X.
A view of the Pacific Coastline in Pacifica, California, United States, on December 5, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
According to information published on tsunami.gov at 9:20 a.m. on July 30, 2025, a Tsunami Warning has been issued for the State of Hawaii and the Oregon/California border to Cape Mendocino, California.
Multiple Tsunami Advisories have also been issued. These include alerts for Attu, Alaska, to Amchitka Pass, Alaska (125 miles west of Adak), Amchitka Pass to Chignik Bay, Alaska, the British Columbia/Alaska border to the Oregon/California border, and Cape Mendocino to the California/Mexico border.
Tsunami waves have already made landfall in Hawaii. The Honolulu Department of Emergency Management confirmed the arrival of the waves in a post on X. The alert, issued at 8:15 p.m. on July 29, urged residents to act immediately and avoid evacuation zones.
CNN also reported on the event, citing data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A tsunami wave over five feet was observed in Kahului, located on the north-central coast of Maui island.
The waves reaching Hawaii have triggered widespread evacuations and emergency efforts across the region. In Maui, Oprah Winfrey has opened her private road to assist with evacuation efforts, according to her spokesperson.
Oprah Winfrey speaks onstage during the Massachusetts Conference for Women at Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on December 12, 2024, in Massachusetts | Source: Getty Images
“As soon as we heard the tsunami warnings, we contacted local law enforcement and FEMA to ensure the road was opened,” the spokesperson told CNN.
“Local law enforcement are currently on site helping residents through 50 cars at a time to ensure everyone’s safety. The road will remain open as long as necessary,” the spokesperson concluded.
Elsewhere in the state, traffic has built up significantly. Heavy congestion was reported on Interstate H-1 in Honolulu, Hawaii’s capital, after officials urged residents to leave coastal areas.
Emergency shelters have been opened, and people have been advised to seek higher ground. Hawaii’s governor Josh Green also issued a warning, stating that tsunami waves “will wrap around the islands.”
The tsunami threat stems from an 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck near Severo-Kurilsk, a remote district in Russia. Though far from the continental United States, the quake’s impact is being felt across the Pacific.
In Severo-Kurilsk, a state of emergency was declared after waves tore boats from their moorings and pushed storage containers inland, according to state media TASS and local footage.
In Japan, more than 1.9 million people were ordered to evacuate coastal regions. Videos shared online showed people sheltering on rooftops in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. So far, the country has avoided any major damage.
Thousands of miles away in Hawaii, tsunami waves up to five feet high have already hit areas such as Kahului. Alerts remain in place across the state.
California is also taking precautions. Helicopters have been deployed along coastal zones to warn the public. In Monterey County, the sheriff directed residents living on boats in Moss Landing, a popular surf destination, to evacuate.
With nearly 27 million residents in coastal counties, California has the largest shoreline population in the U.S.
The ripple effects continue across the Pacific. The Philippines, Indonesia, China, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Panama, and Taiwan have issued a range of tsunami advisories, watches, and warnings as the situation develops.
Authorities across the Pacific continue to monitor developments as tsunami waves impact multiple regions. Emergency measures remain active, and residents in affected areas are urged to follow official guidance.
