Thread: Hawaii blasts sirens, warning of possible tsunami

Hawaii blasts sirens, warning of possible tsunami

Updated 1m ago
The Honolulu Advertiser

HONOLULU — The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami warning for Hawaii following a strong earthquake Friday evening near the coast of Chile that caused substantial damage and fatalities.
At 12:46 a.m. Hawaii time this morning (5:46 a.m. ET), the warning center said a tsunami has been generated that could cause damage along coastlines of all Hawaii islands. It said urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property.

Warning sirens sounded statewide at 6 a.m. (11 a.m. ET).


CHILE EARTHQUAKE: 8.8-magnitude quake strikes Chile

The sirens went off at different times in each county as the estimated arrival time for the tsunami neared.

A tsunami of unknown height was expected to hit the Big Island at 11:19 a.m. (4:19 p.m. ET).

The estimated arrival time for Honolulu was 11:25 a.m. local time, 4:25 p.m. ET.

Shelly Ichishita, state Civil Defense spokeswoman, said early reports indicated that the tsunami "could possibly be about two meters high in Hilo."

But she stressed those reports were preliminary.

As of 1:48 a.m. Hawaii time, the warning remained in effect. Barry Hirshon of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said on CNN some areas of Hawaii likely could see a 10 to 15 foot rise. After the initial wave, the event could generate "many, many waves" and last "at least six hours," he said.

For updates from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, go to http://www.prh.noaa.gov/ptwc/

The magnitude 8.8 earthquake was reported at 8:34 p.m. Hawaii time and was centered near the coast of Chile.

An advisory was issued for Hawaii and forecasters said there was a possibility that the advisory could be elevated to a watch or warning.

A tsunami warning was in effect for Chile and Peru. A tsunami watch was in effect for Ecuador, Colombia, Antarctica, Panama and Costa Rica.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/201 ... nami_N.htm

Several videos of the quake at this link:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and- ... 2464.story

http://www.kitv.com/video/22691778/index.html

prayers to all