Which states felt the impact of the tsunami? See list of where it hit

USA Today

30-07-2025

An estimated 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off Russia's coast, triggering tsunami alerts in nearly a half dozen U.S. Pacific Coast states, where booming waves − some documented as high as 15 feet – hit coastlines.
The National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) issued warnings, watches and advisories after the temblor struck about 7:30 p.m. ET on July 29, about 78 miles east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. The city is in Kamchatka Krai, Russia, in the Far East of the country by the Pacific Ocean.
Roaring waves hit US shores along the Pacific Coast, including in California and Oregon, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported.
More serious than tsunami watches, tsunami warnings were in effect for parts of California and Oregon on Wednesday, July 30, according to NTWC, operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A series of waves caused by a large displacement of water, tsunamis often come on the heels of natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
The tsunami threat posed by the earthquake in Russia is "a significant, real event," Reid Wolcott, a meteorologist with the weather service in Seattle, said.
Most areas were forecast to expect a tsunami of less than one foot, the NWS reported, but forecasters warned even a tsunami of that size can generate deadly currents.
Here's what to know about the states that felt the impact of the tsunami:
California
Waves hit shores in California with Crescent City experiencing the highest waves, state officials reported.
Tsunami advisories were in effect for all of California's coast, a NWS map of the area showed Wednesday.
As of about 7:30 a.m. local time, no damage had been reported in the state.
Tsunami warnings remained in effect for California coastal areas from Cape Mendocino to the Oregon/California border.
Alaska
Waves also hit Alaska, where the Aleutian Islands from Attu Island to Chignik Bay, as well as the Pribilof Islands were under tsunami warning on Wednesday.
"The imminent threat is for Alaska and areas near the quake," Wolcott told USA TODAY earlier on Wednesday, July 30.
As of mid morning on July 30, no damage had been reported in the state.
Where are tsunami warnings and watches issued in the US?
Hawaii
Waves hit all of Hawaii's eight major islands where a tsunami advisory was in effect for the state. A tsunami warning was previously in effect but later downgraded by the weather service.
"Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii," U.S. President Donald Trump posted on X early Wednesday morning. "A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States. Japan is also in the way... STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!"
Maui County officials released video Wednesday showing a nearly 15-foot water drop in Kahului harbor as the first tsunami waves approached the island's coast.
Evacuation orders were lifted, but authorities were still asking people to remain alert on July 30, according to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.
As of 4:30 a.m. HST (10:30 a.m. ET), no major damage had been reported in the state.
Oregon
Tsunami advisories were in place for the state, where officials reported waves also struck the coast.
As of 7:30 a.m. PT on July 30, no major damage had been reported in the state.
Washington
Waves hit the coast of Washington where Tsunami advisories were in place Wednesday morning July 30.
As of 7:30 a.m. PT, no major damage had been reported in the state.
Officials urged people with questions to visit https://tsunami.gov for the latest information.
Contributing: James Powel, Anthony Robledo, Dinah Voyles Pulver and Thao Nguyen
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [e-mail] and follow her on X @nataliealund.