Tsunami Devastates Severo-Kurilsk in Russia After Powerful Earthquake; Waves Trigger Panic in U.S. and Japan

Moscow/Washington/Tokyo, July 30 — A powerful earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula triggered a devastating tsunami that destroyed the city of Severo-Kurilsk. Waves measuring up to three to four metres in height caused widespread panic. In the Kamchatka region, a kindergarten was also damaged. As a result of the tremors, tsunami warnings were issued across the United States and Japan. U.S. President Donald Trump appealed to residents in the affected areas to remain vigilant.

City Submerged, Thousands Evacuated

According to The Moscow Times, Russian officials confirmed that the tsunami completely destroyed the port city of Severo-Kurilsk. In the Elizovsky district of the Kamchatka Peninsula, three to four metre-high waves caused major destruction, submerging city buildings under seawater. Authorities stated that nearly 2,000 people were evacuated to safe areas. Government media reported several injuries in Russia, though none were serious. The Sakhalin regional authorities declared a state of emergency in the Northern Kuril Islands.

Kindergarten Damaged, No Injuries

According to Russia’s state news agency TASS, Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov stated that a kindergarten was damaged due to the strong tremors. Fortunately, no children or staff were inside at the time. Japan’s Meteorological Agency reported that the first tsunami waves reached northern Japan’s Hokkaido coast on Wednesday morning, about 160 miles (257.5 km) southwest of the earthquake’s epicentre. Several other countries also issued tsunami warnings.

Canada, Micronesia Also Issue Alerts

British Columbia in Canada issued tsunami warnings for most of its coastal areas, including the North Coast and Haida Gwaii, the Vancouver Island coast, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Tsunami warnings were also issued for Guam and other islands in Micronesia, located in the western Pacific Ocean.

Waves Reach Hawaii and U.S. West Coast

According to USA Today, tsunami waves reached Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast. Alerts were issued across the Pacific Ocean, Alaska, and the western U.S. coast. So far, no major damage has been reported. The Eureka Weather Service posted on X (formerly Twitter) at 3:47 a.m. ET on July 30 that tsunami waves were occurring in Crescent City, California, and Humboldt Bay. This raised threats to coastal areas. According to the Seattle Weather Service, waves reached the Washington coast after midnight local time, though specific wave heights were not confirmed.

President Trump Urges Caution

President Donald Trump posted on X: “A tsunami warning has been issued for residents in Hawaii following the massive Pacific Ocean earthquake. Stay strong and stay safe.” Officials reported tsunami waves between 5 and 7 feet in Kahului and Maui, Hawaii.

Evacuations and High Alert in U.S. Regions

The Honolulu Emergency Management Department called for the immediate evacuation of some coastal areas. San Diego officials noted that although a warning was issued, there was no immediate threat to the county. Alaska’s tsunami warning covered coastal areas from Attu to the Samalga Pass. The estimated tsunami arrival time in Alaska was between 6:45 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. According to CNN, four-foot waves flooded the parking lot at Haleiwa Boat Harbor on Oahu’s north shore. Coast Guard vessels sounded emergency sirens to alert residents.

Japan’s Coastal Regions on High Alert

According to The Japan News, following the Russian earthquake, Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued tsunami warnings along the Pacific coastlines of 13 prefectures, from Hokkaido to Wakayama. Another 17 prefectures were also alerted. At 1:52 p.m., 1.3-metre-high waves were recorded at Kuji Port in Iwate Prefecture. At 2:37 p.m., 80-centimetre-high waves reached Hachijojima Island near Tokyo. At 2:57 p.m., tsunami waves were reported in Nemuro, Hokkaido. In Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, 50-centimetre waves were observed.

Industrial Operations Suspended in Japan

In response to the tsunami warning, Nissan Motor Company suspended operations at three of its plants. Kirin Holdings also halted production at three locations. Sapporo Breweries Limited announced it was suspending operations at its Shizuoka plant. Additionally, hundreds of convenience stores across Japan were temporarily shut down.

Global Advisory on Coastal Safety

According to China’s Xinhua news agency, the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness stated on the EmergencyInfoBC website that tsunami warnings are issued when the threat level is uncertain. People in affected areas were advised to stay away from oceans, beaches, ports, marinas, breakwaters, bays, and inlets.

Strongest Earthquake Since 1952

According to the Kamchatka branch of the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the earthquake measured 8.7 on the Richter scale, making it the strongest since 1952. The U.S. Geological Survey reported a magnitude of 8.8. The earthquake struck at a depth of 19.3 kilometres, with its epicentre located 126 kilometres southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of 165,000 people on the shores of Avacha Bay.