Tsunami Warning: How to Prepare For Tidal Waves
(Source: National Tsunami Warning Center)
On July 29th, 2025, the biggest earthquake in 14 years caused tsunami warnings in Russia, Japan, Hawaii, and the US Pacific Coast.
Hawaii residents evacuated beachfronts after being issued a Tsunami Warning from the National Weather Service of waves as high as 10 feet above normal tidal levels. [1]
As of July 30th, millions of Americans in Guam, Washington, California, and Oregon were on various stages of alert, with tsunami wave damage a realistic possibility in Pacific Coastal communities in the continental US.
Tsunami waves began hitting the San Francisco, Northern California and Washington State coastlines at about 1 am on July 30th.[2]
The 8.8-magnitude earthquake, which occurred off the northern Pacific coast of Russia, was the sixth strongest ever measured and the worst since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan.
The magnitude 9.1 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami resulted in 19,759 deaths, 6,242 injuries, with 2,553 people classified as missing as of 2021.[3]
Also known as the Great East Japan Earthquake, this megaquake and its resulting tsunami waves caused the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, the effects of which are ongoing today.[4]
This article examines the immediate effects of the July 29 earthquake and the damage caused by the July 30 tsunami waves.
Among the most devastating natural disasters, we’ll also outline what you can do to protect yourself and your family if your area receives a tsunami warning and what to do before, during, and after tidal waves strike.
July 30th, 2025: Tsunami Waves Hit Hawaii, California, Washington State and the Pacific Coast
As of 6 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, Hawaii and the Pacific Coast of the continental United States appear to have escaped without significant damage despite being hit by tsunami waves caused by the July 29th earthquake.
According to the NY Times, Hawaii’s Tsunami Warning was downgraded to an Advisory by the National Weather Service in the early morning hours of July 30th and “state officials said that there had been no major damage and that those who had evacuated could return home based on the assessments and directives of each county’s authorities.”
Beaches, harbors, and docks in parts of Northern California remain closed, and authorities are recommending people to stay far away from the ocean for at least the next 24 hours.
Tsunamis are an unpredictable phenomenon, the first wave isn’t always the most intense and damaging waves, currents, and riptides can continue for a day or longer after the original earthquake subsides.
Early indications are that Hawaii, California, and other coastal states will not incur significant damage from the July 29th earthquake and July 30th tsunami waves, but its essential to remain vigilant as the situation is still developing and subject to rapid, unpredictable change.
Tsunami Alert Levels in the United States
Depending on the proximity and magnitude of seismic events like earthquakes that impact the US, tsunami waves can be forecast hours in advance or come completely without warning.
Fortunately, the US Tsunami Warning Service has a robust forecasting and alert system in place that maximizes preparedness, giving communities as much time as possible to prepare or evacuate.
There are four levels of Tsunami Alerts in the US.
Source: Weather.gov
Tsunami Warning
The most urgent alert. Dangerous coastal flooding and powerful currents are possible. Move inland or to high ground.
Tsunami Advisory
Strong currents or waves. Stay out of the water and away from beaches and waterways.
Tsunami Watch
A tsunami is possible, but the details are not yet known. Stay tuned to reliable sources of information and be prepared to act.
Tsunami Information Statement
Threat not determined. Relax.
Earthquake Warnings and Tsunamis
Earthquakes aren’t the only cause of tsunamis but are by far the most common.
Other possible causes of tsunamis include:
Landslides
Volcanic Eruptions
Meteorite Impacts
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) ShakeAlert endeavors to provide communities with as much advanced warning as possible of earthquakes and other seismic events.
However, despite all the technology at seismologists’ disposal, earthquakes remain extremely difficult to predict.
It’s possible that there will be little to no advance warning when the Big One finally hits.
However, there are steps you can take to prepare as best you can for when tsunamis and earthquakes strike.
Tsunami Disaster Preparedness: Before During, and After the Waves Hit
(Source: FEMA)
Before: Know Your Risk and Plan Ahead
Consult a tsunami map to determine your risk level
If you live, work, or visit a coastal area, pinpoint your tsunami evacuation zone and plan several routes to high ground—at least one to two miles inland or 100 feet above sea level.
Watch for natural warning signs of a tsunami: a strong earthquake, a loud ocean roar, or the sea receding suddenly and exposing the ocean floor.
Assemble a Bug Out Bag with essentials like water, food, a first-aid kit, medications, a flashlight, and a battery-powered radio so you can leave immediately.
Monitor NOAA Weather Radio and other reliable government sources for updates
During: Evacuate Immediately
If a Tsunami Alert is issued, follow instructions. If directed, or if you spot any natural warning signs of tsunamis, evacuate immediately.
Get to designated high ground areas or, if you’re trapped, the highest floor of a sturdy reinforced building.
Remember, the first wave is not always the most devastating
Stay away from the coast until you get the all-clear from authorities
After: Return Safely
Once you’re cleared to return, continue to monitor alerts. Tsunami waves and dangerous can persist for hours or days after the event that caused them.
Steer clear of floodwater and damaged buildings
Beware of hazards like gas leaks and downed power lines
Final Thoughts
Tsunami disasters are infrequent but often devastating events.
Not all tsunami alerts result in deaths or property damage, but knowing which one will is almost impossible to predict.
If you live in or near a coastal community in the US, particularly on the West Coast, don’t be complacent.
Always take tsunami alerts seriously and prepare for the worst.
Resources Cited
Service, National Weather. 2025. “U.S. Tsunami Warning Centers.” Tsunami.gov. 2025. https://www.tsunami.gov/.
US. 2025. “San Francisco Bay Area, CA.” Weather.gov. 2025. https://www.weather.gov/mtr/.
“Reconstruction Agency.” 2023. Reconstruction.go.jp. 2023. https://www.reconstruction.go.jp/english/topics/GEJE/index.html.
“Learning from Fukushima Daiichi.” 2021. Iaea.org. October 6, 2021. https://www.iaea.org/bulletin/learning-from-fukushima-daiichi-factors-leading-to-the-accident.
Albeck-Ripka, Livia, Francesca Regalado, Martin Fackler, John Keefe, Jesus Jiménez, Shawn Hubler, Laurel Rosenhall, et al. 2025. “Tsunami Waves Reach Hawaii and California after 8.8-Magnitude Earthquake near Russia: Live Updates.” Nytimes.com. The New York Times. July 30, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/07/29/world/earthquake-tsunami-russia-japan-hawaii?smid=url-share#e3c799ac-409b-5b9a-81ec-b0cf7d3acfd4.
Reuters. 2025. “Tsunami Waves Reach Hawaii after Huge Quake Rattles Russia’s Far East.” Reuters. July 29, 2025. https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/tsunami-waves-reach-hawaii-after-huge-quake-rattles-russias-far-east-2025-07-30/.
Falconer, Rebecca. 2025. “Tsunami Waves Lash Hawai’i, U.S. West Coast, Japan, Russia after 8.8M Quake.” Axios. July 30, 2025. https://www.axios.com/2025/07/30/earthquake-russia-tsunami-warnings-hawaii-japan-evacuations.
US. 2025. “Understanding Tsunami Alerts.” Weather.gov. 2025. https://www.weather.gov/safety/tsunami-alerts.
“Tsunami Preparedness.” 2025. Redcross.org. 2025. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/tsunami.html.
“Tsunamis | Ready.gov.” 2025. Ready.gov. 2025. https://www.ready.gov/tsunamis.
NOAA. n.d. “Building a Weather-Ready Nation.” https://www.weather.gov/media/wrn/presentations/Tsunami_Safety_Presentation.pdf.
“Map | National Risk Index.” 2025. Fema.gov. 2025. https://hazards.fema.gov/nri/map#.
“ArcGIS Web Application.” 2025. Arcgis.com. 2025. https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=39a9e07068a14d01a85b437adcf50beb.
US. 2025. “NOAA Weather Radio.” Weather.gov. 2025. https://www.weather.gov/nwr/.