Tsunami advisories cancelled for B.C. coast after Russia earthquake
The original story follows below:
British Columbians are being urged to stay away from coastal areas that remain under a tsunami advisory, after one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded triggered warnings and alerts around the Pacific.
The District of Tofino says beaches are closed, while the province's emergency information agency says people in areas covered by the advisory should stay away from shorelines, with strong waves and currents possible.
Emergency Info BC had said tsunami waves of less than 30 centimetres were expected to hit Tofino, B.C., around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, but there was no immediate confirmation of their arrival that coincided with a low tide.
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This image taken from a video released by Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences, shows the aftermath of tsunami hitting the coastal area of Severo-Kurilsk at Paramushir island of Kuril Islands, Russia, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences via AP)
In this image taken from a video released by Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service, rescuers inspect a kindergarten damaged by an earthquake in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service via AP)
In this image taken from a video released by Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences, shows the aftermath of tsunami hitting the coastal area of Severo-Kurilsk at Paramushir island of Kuril Islands, Russia, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences via AP)
People take shelter at a temporary evacuation site in Kushiro, Hokkaido, northern Japan Wednesday, July 30, 2025 after a powerful earthquake in Russia's Far East prompted tsunami alert in parts of Japan. (Kyodo News via AP)
A traffic jam forms in Honolulu Tuesday, July 29, 2025 as people heed a tsunami evacuation warning that coincided with rush hour following a powerful earthquakes in Russia's Far East early Wednesday. (AP Photo)
Oahu residents evacuate Ewa Beach to the side of Kunia Road due to the threat of tsunami in Kapolei, Oahu, Hawaii, Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (AP photo/Michelle Bir)
Ewa Beach residents Carlo Salas and CJ Jasper, with their families, are evacuated at the side of Kunia Road to escape the tsunami threat Kapolei, Oahu, Hawaii, Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (AP photo/Michelle Bir)
People take shelter on the roof of a fire station in Mukawa town, Hokkaido, northern Japan Wednesday, July 30, 2025, after a powerful earthquake in Russia's Far East prompted tsunami alert in parts of Japan. (Kyodo News via AP)
People are seen on Wickaninish Beach at Pacific Rim National Park near Tofino, B.C., on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, amid a tsunami advisory. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dirk Meissner
However, at 1:20 a.m. Pacific daylight time, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration updated its tsunami bulletin to include regional observations. For British Columbia, that included an 'observed maximum tsunami height' of six centimetres at Langara Island, 27 centimetres at Winter Harbour, 21 centimetres at Tofino and nine centimetres at Bamfield.
The quake that hit off the coast of southeastern Russia on Tuesday had a preliminary magnitude of 8.8, which would make it the world's strongest quake since 2011.
The tsunami advisory in B.C. covers the North Coast and Haida Gwaii, the Central Coast and northeastern Vancouver Island, the island's west coast and the Juan de Fuca Strait from the Jordan River area to Greater Victoria, including the Saanich Peninsula.
Signs alerting people about the tsunami advisory were posted at Wickaninish Beach in Pacific Rim National Park, southeast of Tofino, but people continued to take in Tuesday's sunset, although the parking lot was mostly empty.
tsunami warning Tofino
People are seen on Wickaninish Beach at Pacific Rim National Park near Tofino, B.C., on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, amid a tsunami advisory. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dirk Meissner
Campers at the JX Surf Shop campground between Tofino and Ucluelet on Vancouver Island were glued to their phones overnight searching for the news about the tsunami. However, most appeared to be staying put for the night.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said a tsunami as high as 40 centimetres was detected in 16 locations as the waves moved south along the Pacific coast.
But officials urged caution, saying bigger waves could come later, with the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Centre saying waves higher than three metres were possible in parts of Hawaii, Ecuador and Russia.
Damage and evacuations were reported in the Russian regions nearest the quake's epicentre on the Kamchatka Peninsula.
With files by The Associated Press
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2025.
Dirk Meissner, The Canadian Press
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