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Economic Times
02-08-2025
- Climate
- Economic Times
Tropical Storm Gil strengthens to become hurricane, urgent alert issued for Hawaii, California travellers
AP Gil was a tropical storm on Friday, Aug. 1, before becoming a hurricane overnight Tropical storm Gil strengthened to become a hurricane in the Pacific Ocean before weakening again into a tropical storm, the National Hurricane Center said Saturday, August 2. A warning has been issued for travelers heading to Hawaii to exercise storm is expected to continue weakening through the weekend, the hurricane center said and will be come post-tropical as early as Sunday. It was moving west-northwest near 20 mph, and it was expected to continue through the weekend. By Monday, the system is forecast to move more slowly are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, according to the hurricane center, part of the National Weather Service. Gil was a tropical storm on Friday, Aug. 1, before becoming a hurricane overnight. Then, it was downgraded back to a tropical storm on Saturday morning. When a tropical storm's winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane, according to USA Today. ALSO READ: Trading and cooking event update: How to make cooking recipe in Grow a Garden Experts have warned that Hurricane Gil may reach California as early as today, according to Hindustan Times. During the passage of Tropical Storm Iona and another adjacent meteorological system, authorities in Hawaii have issued fire hazard alerts. Earlier, the Honolulu National Weather Service said: 'A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.' Tropical Depression Iona, situated over 1,400 miles west of Honolulu, continued to weaken on Saturday as it neared the International Date Line, according to a bulletin from the hurricane center. ALSO READ: 'Recession indicators' flood TikTok in US: Labubus, lipsticks and low-rise jeans trigger panic Procrastinating on hurricane preparations could have serious consequences. 'Stock up on disaster supplies while they're still available, and schedule your insurance review now,' the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) advises. 'Flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period, so don't delay.'NOAA advises people to get their insurance checkup early because flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period. Moreover, they should acquire emergency supplies while the shelves are still filled. Here's how to get ready before the storm hits: Make an Evacuation Plan If you live in a hurricane-prone area, you need to know where you'll go and how you'll get there in case of an evacuation. Start mapping out your route and identifying potential shelter options now. ALSO READ: Stimulus payments August 2025: These US states will receive financial benefit. Do you qualify? Gather Disaster Supplies Whether you plan to evacuate or shelter in place, you'll need essential supplies to ride out the storm and deal with its aftermath. Stock up on food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, and other critical items today. Check Your Insurance and Document Your Belongings Call your insurance agent now for a full policy review. Ensure you have sufficient coverage to repair or replace your home and possessions. Remember: standard homeowners and renters policies do not cover flood damage. You'll need separate flood insurance, which you can get through your provider or the National Flood Insurance Program. Be aware — there's a mandatory 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect. Set Up a Family Communication Plan Write down your family's emergency plan and go over it with everyone in your household. Choose a nearby meeting point and include an out-of-town contact or location in case you're forced to evacuate. Fortify Your Home Take steps now to boost your home's defenses against high winds and heavy rain. Trim overhanging tree branches, install storm shutters or impact-resistant glass, and seal any gaps or cracks in exterior walls.
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First Post
30-07-2025
- Climate
- First Post
Why Russia earthquake set off tsunami alerts across US
The earthquake hit the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia's far east, which is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire – a huge stretch of active and dormant volcanoes that spans most of the Pacific Ocean. But hours after the earthquake, thousands of kilometres away, tsunami waves began hitting Hawaii. Alerts also sounded for Alaska and other parts of the United States, including the West Coast. But how did this happen? read more During a tsunami advisory triggered by an underwater earthquake off the coast of Russia, Gaby Lazlo and Daniel Ramirez visit Ocean Beach in San Francisco on Tuesday. Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via AP The 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Russia set off alarm bells in many parts of the world including Japan and the United States. The earthquake hit the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia's far east. This area is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire – a huge stretch of active and dormant volcanoes that spans most of the Pacific Ocean. Around 90 per cent of all earthquakes occur here. The region is home to around 75 per cent of all active volcanoes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But hours after the earthquake, thousands of kilometres away, tsunami waves began hitting Hawaii. Alerts also sounded for Alaska and other parts of the United States. But how did the quake in Russia put the US on alert? What parts of US have been hit? What's the damage? Let's take a closer look: Why quake in Russia put US on alert The earthquake struck the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia's far east on Wednesday morning. It was approximately 11.24 am. But when the waves hit Hawaii thousands of kilometres away it was still Tuesday. So, how did this happen? Because the waves, in a sense, travelled back in time. They did so because they crossed the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean. But what explains how the waves made it across the world? This is chalked up to the sheer power of the quake. This tremor was the most powerful since the 2011 one in Fukushima, when a 9.1-magnitude tremor left 18,000 dead and caused a meltdown in a nuclear reactor. Experts say such quakes occur just once a year on average. We also need to understand how the quake occurred. The Earth's crust comprises pieces called tectonic plates that are joined together. They drift atop hot, melted rock. The areas where the plates slide under each other are called subduction zones. The Ring of Fire, as noted, sees most of the world's earthquakes occur. This is because of the movements of tectonic plates. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to scientists, subduction zones can 'stick' for a long time, building up pressure. When the plates suddenly 'slip,' that pressure is released as an earthquake. The Kamchatka region in Russia is near two major subduction zones, where the Pacific Plate is sliding under the North American Plate. Tsunami waves flood an area after a powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, in Severo-Kurilsk, Sakhalin Region, Russia. Reuters This area is known for big earthquakes—one in 1952 reached magnitude 9.0. The recent earthquake likely involved a huge movement along the fault line—up to 320 to 480 kilometres long. It happened just 20 kilometres miles below the ocean floor. This shifted part of the seafloor upward, which in turn pushed a large amount of ocean water. Thus, a tsunami was born and began moving across the Pacific Ocean, heading toward the United States. Experts said the waves travelled to the United States between 500 and 800 kilometres per hour – the speed of a jet plane. However, these waves slowed down once they reached in shallow waters. Hawaii and the West Coast were affected because they sat directly across from the Kamchatka Peninsula. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The waves reached Hawaii at 7.10 pm local time – around six hours after the quake struck. Parts of Alaska and the West Coast were also put on tsunami watch. Which parts of the US have been hit? What's the damage? The waves hit parts of Hawaii, Alaska and the West Coast of the US**.** Authorities sounded evacuation warnings for Hawaii where a four-foot wave was seen off the island of Oahu, while a wave more than 5-feet high was witnessed in Maui's Kahului. Hawaii Country's Hilo witnessed a 4.5-foot tsunami wave, while Hanalei Guage recorded waves of up to 3.9 foot wave. Even Oprah got in the act with Maui County saying that she had opened up her private road to help citizens flee. 'Oprah's road is open to get Upcountry, according to Maui Police Department,' the county said. Hawaii Governor Josh Green had urged residents and tourists to stay calm and follow evacuation instructions, while the US Coast Guard shut key ports across the Hawaiian Islands. Thankfully, the tsunami warning was downgraded to an advisory level by around 11 pm. Flights have resumed at the Honolulu International Airport. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The evacuated have been advised to return to their homes. Washington state resident Poppy Mellon fills his car with jugs of water in preparation for the tsunami threat at the Kapolei Walmart, Hawaii, Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (AP photo/Michelle Bir) Hawaii has witnessed no major injuries or damage. In Alaska, the communities of Amchitka and Adak witnessed waves of around 2.7 feet. Alaska Airlines also began delaying flights and rerouting those already in the air. The airline urged passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport. Alaska, like Hawaii, witnessed no significant damage or injuries. The tsunami reached the California coast around 3 am on Wednesday. A four feet, 4-inch wave was seen in Arena Cove. Crescent City, a coastal town around 30 kilometres from Oregon, witnessed a four-foot wave. The town of less than 7,000 residents has been hit nearly three dozen times by tsunami waves since 1933. A 1964 incident left 11 dead and nearly 30 city blocks ruined. A small part of the West Coast – from Cape Mendocino to the Oregon border – is under tsunami warning. This is the highest level of alert possible. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It means widespread flooding across the coast is likely or is already happening. Residents are advised to evacuate. Most of the West Coast including Los Angeles and San Francisco, Hawaii and Alaska coastline are now under tsunami advisory. This means that 'strong currents or waves dangerous to those in or very near the water' are possible. Here, residents are advised to stay away from beaches and waterways. With inputs from agencies


Time of India
30-07-2025
- Time of India
Time travel and Russia's Kamchatka earthquake: Tsunami travels back in time and hit Hawaii a day earlier than the quake; here's the reason
A massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula triggered tsunami waves across the Pacific, impacting Hawaii on Tuesday night. The US West Coast, including California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, also experienced waves. Russia and Japan faced the initial impact, prompting evacuations of nearly 2 million people. The Wednesday earthquake is sharing the spot for the sixth strongest ever recorded. The tsunami triggered by the Kamchatka earthquake hit the US state of Hawaii almost six hours later. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads How did this happen? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tsunami waves from Kamchatka earthquake reach US West Coast The 8.8 magnitude earthquake, which triggered tsunami waves hitting America's Hawaii, struck Russia on Wednesday morning (July 30, 2025). About 3500 miles away, the tsunami hit the US state of Hawaii almost six hours later. But the interesting part—the earthquake occurred on July 30, but tsunami waves crashed into the Hawaiian coast on late Tuesday night, and the date was still July answer is that Hawaii and Russia's Kamchatka lie in two different zones across the International Date Line . It is the invisible boundary that divides the Pacific Ocean, demarcating one day from the the tremors struck the Kamchatka Peninsula, in Russia's Far East, it was around 11:24 a.m. local time on Wednesday morning. By the time the first tsunami waves hit Hawaii, thousands of miles to the east, it was still Tuesday evening. That's because the waves travelled back in time, at least in a calendar sense. As the tsunami waves moved east, they crossed the International Date tsunami waves have struck nations across the Pacific after alerts were issued following the tremors. The Wednesday earthquake is sharing the spot for the sixth strongest ever the tsunami hit: US shores, including those in Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, have been hit by waves. The tsunami's first waves hit Russia and Japan, where nearly 2 million people have been the waves of the tsunami triggered by the earthquake have reached the US West Coast, arriving early Wednesday (July 30, 2025) along the Washington, Oregon, and California to CNN, the largest tsunami waves so far have been observed at Arena Cove, California: 1.6 feet; Crescent City, California: 1.5 feet; and Monterey, California: 1.4 feet. A tsunami threat was also issued for Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu on Wednesday.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
United passengers endured a double diversion and a 28-hour journey over the Pacific
United Airlines Flight 870 took 28 hours to reach San Francisco. After leaving Sydney, it diverted to Samoa, then stopped again in Hawaii. Airlines sometimes choose to stop again after a diversion, as it may be easier to find replacement staff. United Airlines passengers spent 28 hours traveling across the Pacific Ocean as their flight made two unscheduled landings. Flight 870, from Sydney to San Francisco, typically takes around 13 hours. The Boeing 777 departed Australia on Sunday at around 11:30 a.m. local time, an hour later than scheduled, according to data from Flightradar24. If passengers were irritated by the delayed takeoff, they had a lot more awaiting them. Four-and-a-half hours into the journey, the plane turned southeast toward the Pacific island nation of Samoa, per Flightradar24. It landed in the capital, Apia, two hours later. Travel news site Paddle Your Own Kanoo reported that this diversion was due to a medical emergency. United Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider outside US working hours. The plane spent more than three hours on the ground in Samoa before taking off again, but it only traveled as far as Hawaii. The six-hour flight to Honolulu also saw passengers cross the International Date Line. So when it landed in the state capital around 7:30 a.m. local time on Sunday, this was technically earlier than when the passengers left Australia. However, they then had to wait another seven hours before they could depart again for the final leg of their journey to San Francisco. Flight 870 ultimately concluded there at around 10:30 p.m. PT, some 15 hours later than expected. It looks like United Airlines purposely chose to stop for a second time as the emergency meant the crew would have exceeded their maximum working hours. As the carrier doesn't typically fly to Samoa, it wouldn't have been able to find a new flight crew there without disrupting other journeys. By contrast, United serves several cities from Honolulu. This tactic for minimising disruption is not uncommon. Last month, a British Airways flight from the Bahamas to London also made two stops after a medical emergency. It first diverted to Canada's remote Gander International Airport, before stopping again in Iceland. British Airways arranged for the second stop because it was easier to send a replacement crew there than to Canada. Read the original article on Business Insider

Business Insider
14-05-2025
- Business Insider
United passengers endured a double diversion and a 28-hour journey over the Pacific
United Airlines passengers spent 28 hours traveling across the Pacific Ocean as their flight made two unscheduled landings. Flight 870, from Sydney to San Francisco, typically takes around 13 hours. The Boeing 777 departed Australia on Sunday at around 11:30 a.m. local time, an hour later than scheduled, according to data from Flightradar24. If passengers were irritated by the delayed takeoff, they had a lot more awaiting them. Four-and-a-half hours into the journey, the plane turned southeast toward the Pacific island nation of Samoa, per Flightradar24. It landed in the capital, Apia, two hours later. Travel news site Paddle Your Own Kanoo reported that this diversion was due to a medical emergency. United Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider outside US working hours. The plane spent more than three hours on the ground in Samoa before taking off again, but it only traveled as far as Hawaii. The six-hour flight to Honolulu also saw passengers cross the International Date Line. So when it landed in the state capital around 7:30 a.m. local time on Sunday, this was technically earlier than when the passengers left Australia. However, they then had to wait another seven hours before they could depart again for the final leg of their journey to San Francisco. Flight 870 ultimately concluded there at around 10:30 p.m. PT, some 15 hours later than expected. It looks like United Airlines purposely chose to stop for a second time as the emergency meant the crew would have exceeded their maximum working hours. As the carrier doesn't typically fly to Samoa, it wouldn't have been able to find a new flight crew there without disrupting other journeys. By contrast, United serves several cities from Honolulu. This tactic for minimising disruption is not uncommon. Last month, a British Airways flight from the Bahamas to London also made two stops after a medical emergency. It first diverted to Canada's remote Gander International Airport, before stopping again in Iceland. British Airways arranged for the second stop because it was easier to send a replacement crew there than to Canada.