The 8.8 earthquake in Chile had set off a shockwave of Tsunami alerts all over the Pacific. High alert not only for Hawaii, but for Guam, Samoa and many other islands.
HONOLULU (AP) — A tsunami triggered by an earthquake in Chile swept ashore in Hawaii on Saturday, but the initial waves did not appear to cause significant damage.
The first waves looked more like an extreme fluctuation in the tide than the giant tsunami that Hawaii and the rest of the Pacific Ocean were bracing for after the magnitude-8.8 quake devastated Chile.
The wave began affecting Hilo Bay on the Big Island just before noon local time. Water began pulling away from shore, exposing reefs and sending dark streaks of muddy, sandy water offshore. Water later washed overCoconut Island, a small park off the coast of Hilo.
The tsunami was causing a series of surges that were about 20 minutes apart, and the waves arrived later and smaller than originally predicted. The highest wave at Hilo measured 5.5 feet high, while Maui saw some as high as 6 feet.
No major damage was immediately reported, but scientists cautioned the waves would continue into the afternoon.
The tsunami raced across the Pacific Ocean in terrifying force after the quake hit Chile hours earlier, giving Hawaii officials had ample time to get people out of the potential disaster area.
Sirens blared in Hawaii to alert residents to the potential waves. As the waves expected arrival drew near, roads into tourist-heavy Waikiki were closed off. Police patrolled main roads, telling tourists to get off the streets.
Authorities even flew overhead in Cessna blaring warnings to people to get out of the potential danger zone, and residents in Honolulu lined up at supermarkets to stock up on food and batteries. Cars lined up 15 long at several gas stations.
The tsunami fear was not unique to Hawaii.
The waves hit California, but barely registered a notice amid stormy weather. No injuries or property damage are reported. Authorities reported unusual tidal surges to the south of Santa Monica, in San Diego.
A tsunami warning — the highest alert level — was in effect for Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Samoa and dozens of other Pacific islands. An advisory — the lowest level — includes California, Oregon, Washington state, parts of Alaska, and coastal British Colombia. Link
First Haiti, now Chili.
And now the resonance of those quakes are impacting other countries in the Pacific Ocean.
At last update, Hawaii had "dodged a bullet" with no immediate reports of major damage, just tidal surges. But don't release a sigh of relief yet - still aim for higher grounds. However - watch for those volcanos. Earth tremors and volcanic eruptions are all connected.
Is this the signs of the times?
If you saw the movie 2012, Hawaiians may consider moving to China (but I digress).
In the coming days, we'll have a Hope for Chili Telethon and some Christian nutjob will declare God is angry and punishing Hawaii for not surrendering Obama's real birth certificate. Pffft!
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