Tsunami alert issued temporarily after 7.9 quake hits Alaska
What's the story
A 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck off the Gulf of Alaska in the US, triggering a temporary tsunami alert. The warning has now been withdrawn, but remains active for parts of Alaska. The epicenter of the quake was 280km south-east of Kodiak, 25km deep. Tremors were recorded at 12:31am local time, the US Geological Survey said. Several smaller aftershocks were recorded nearby.
Twitter Post
Tsunami warnings in Kodiak at 1am
tsunami sirens going off in kodiak after the earthquake, i usually only ever hear the weekly siren test at 2pm on wednesdays so hearing it at 1am on tuesday is actually terrifying!! pic.twitter.com/ea5y7U6xnf
— kylie j (@scarygirI) January 23, 2018
Warning
Tsunami warning was issued for British Columbia, Alaska
The tsunami warning was issued for British Columbia and Alaska, while the West Coast was on watch. There was "extraordinary threat to life or property." People were asked to move to higher ground. NBC News meteorologist Bill Karins tweeted about a buoy which apparently witnessed a 32ft water rise right after the earthquake hit. After the alert's cancellation, parts of Alaska still remain watchful.
Information
No reports of waves yet
The first waves were to hit Kodiak, Alaska, at 1:45am local time, Washington at 4:50am and California at 5:20am. Sirens were sounded. There were reports of evacuation. But there are no waves so far. Karins said people should still "get out of the way."
Witnesses
Tremors felt for long but no major damage
There are no reports of major damage, but residents agreed it was the "strongest, longest lasting one." A local, who was on a boat when tremors hit, said it shook "really good for a minute." They quickly got to shore and ran. According to another, it was "a slow roller, so it was felt for at least a minute before the real rolling started."
Twitter Post
When a reporter called up the Kodiak police department
Just called the Kodiak police department
— Nat Herz (@Nat_Herz) January 23, 2018
Unprompted: "If this is about the tsunami, going to ask you to get to higher ground."
"Can you talk to a reporter?"
"Keith, do we have time for a reporter right now."
"No"
"We're going to have to call you back. Lives at stake."