US Airlines Cancels Hawaii Flights After Russia Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Alert

LOS ANGELES- A powerful undersea earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula has triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific, impacting air and ground operations in the United States and Hawaii. Airlines like Hawaiian Airlines (HA) have suspended flights at Hilo International Airport (ITO) amid emergency evacuations.

Coastal areas of Northern California and the Hawaiian Islands are under threat, with the National Tsunami Warning Center issuing warnings and advisories. In Hawaii, tsunami waves could reach up to 10 feet, while parts of California (SFO, ACV) are bracing for waves as high as 5 feet.

Photo: PxHere

Tsunami watch issued for California Coast after Russia Earthquake

Authorities across the Pacific region are responding swiftly to the tsunami threat triggered by the major earthquake off Kamchatka.

The National Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami warning for Northern California, specifically from Cape Mendocino to the Oregon/California border, including Crescent City (CEC)—a location historically vulnerable to tsunamis. Waves between 2 to 5 feet are expected, with dangerous coastal conditions forecasted.

The California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is coordinating with federal and local agencies to implement evacuations and public safety measures. Residents have been urged to avoid beaches, harbors, and marinas, and to follow updates from official channels.

In Hawaii, tsunami waves could reach 10 feet along northern-facing shores. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) warns of possible severe inundation in areas directly in the wave path. The orientation of the undersea fault has directed the brunt of the energy toward the Hawaiian Islands, increasing the risk.

Photo: Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330-200; N380HA@HNL;15.09.2019 | Flickr

Hawaiian Airlines Cancels Flights

To facilitate emergency response and protect lives, Hawaiian Airlines (HA) has suspended commercial flights at Hilo International Airport (ITO).

The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is redirecting resources for evacuation support, particularly in coastal areas like Keaukaha and Hanalei.

National Guard units are on standby across the islands, with two medical evacuation helicopters already deployed. Major General Stephen F. Logan of the Hawaii Department of Defense confirmed that cargo helicopters and Air National Guard units are prepared to assist if conditions worsen.

On the mainland, local emergency operations centers in California and Oregon are also preparing for possible evacuations. Crescent City, heavily damaged during the 1964 tsunami, is receiving special attention due to its location and past vulnerability.

International Scope of the Warning

The tsunami threat extends beyond U.S. borders. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued ongoing alerts, warning that tsunami activity may persist for more than 24 hours.

Although Japan is geographically closer to the quake’s epicenter, wave heights observed so far are under 1.5 feet, due to the directional nature of the seismic energy.

In Japan, precautionary evacuations include the Fukushima nuclear facility, where non-essential staff were removed as a safety measure. Other nations across the Pacific Rim, including Chile and Peru, are monitoring wave activity and remain on alert.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Tsunami Warning System has expanded advisories across California (SFO, LAX), Oregon (PDX), Washington (SEA), British Columbia (YVR), South Alaska, and the Alaska Peninsula (ANC).

Photo: By AdmiralHood – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17449879

Ongoing Monitoring and Public Safety Measures

Officials are closely monitoring wave activity, and the first tsunami surges are expected to last several hours.

Authorities stress that tsunami waves are not isolated events—the most dangerous waves can arrive later and may not be preceded by obvious signals such as receding tides.

People in tsunami-prone coastal areas are advised to stay away from beaches, docks, and estuaries. Emergency alert systems and sirens have been activated in vulnerable zones, with local media and apps providing real-time updates.

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