Tsunami advisory for Washington coast cancelled after 8.8 quake off Russia

UPDATE:

July 30, 2025 at 10:50 a.m. PDT

The Washington State Emergency Management Division (WA EMD) confirmed that the tsunami advisory for Washington state had been cancelled by mid-morning Wednesday.

“At this time there is no tsunami threat to the Washington coast. Check out http://tsunami.gov for more information," wrote WA EMD.

EARLIER COVERAGE:

July 30, 2025 at 4:50 a.m. PDT

As of 8 a.m. Wednesday morning, a tsunami advisory remains in effect for Washington shores following an 8.8 earthquake off the coast of Russia.

According to the Washington Emergency Management Division (WA EMD), the advisory remains in effect because there have been observable waves greater than one foot.

“All waves must be under 1 foot for 3 hours for the advisory to be removed. Neah Bay still has wave heights of 1.3 feet and Port Angeles has wave heights of 1.2 feet,” wrote WA EMD.

For the latest information, follow the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center and find details at http://tsunami.gov.

“We are not seeing any reports of major damage on our coast. We are still suggesting people stay off beaches and stay away from the water due to strong currents and dangerous waves,” added WA EMD.

Just before 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Seattle’s National Weather Service branch (NWS Seattle) shared the following update:

“We continue to see tsunami waves arrive along the coast as well as Strait of Juan de Fuca. Reminder: Do not attempt to go to the shore to observe the tsunami waves. Keep away until local officials say it is safe to return.”

Earlier that morning, just before 1 a.m., NWS Seattle shared graphics detailing when the first tsunami waves reached the La Push and Westport area, reminding communities to keep away from the water and shore until local officials say its safe to return.

EARLIER COVERAGE:

July 29, 2025 at 10:24 p.m. PDT

A tsunami advisory remains in effect for the Washington coast Tuesday night following a powerful offshore earthquake, as the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center expanded its tsunami warning to include a section of the Northern California coast.

The advisory applies to Washington’s outer coast from the Oregon border to Slip Point, as well as the Columbia River estuary and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Officials continue to warn residents of the potential for strong currents and minor coastal flooding, even though forecasted wave heights in Washington remain under one foot.

Wave arrival times for Washington began shortly before midnight.

Locations such as Neah Bay, Long Beach, and Westport are expected to experience the most noticeable wave activity between 11:35 p.m. Tuesday and 2 a.m. Wednesday, although maximum tsunami heights are forecast to stay below one foot across the region.

The people we spoke to say boats could be impacted. That includes the boats at the Port of Edmonds Marina just on the edges of the zones that could see significant waves.

Erika Lombardi docks her boat at the Port of Edmonds Marina, and was out on the boat checking things Tuesday evening. “Just checking the lines and checking the, enough play in the power cord and everything like that.”

She says she was not taking any chances that even smaller waves from a tsunami could damage her boat. “We’re end tie, we’re at the very very end so probably the most exposed too.”

Harold Tobin is a Professor at the University of Washington and heads up the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, he says this quake was significant.

“Probably going to be in the top ten sized earthquakes we’ve ever recorded on the planet.”

But he also stressed that the impacts to us may not be severe.

“Most likely it won’t be dangerous here… it seems like it would be relatively small scale if it reached our coast, the outer coast if it reached the Puget Sound even more likely to be dissipated to very small scale.”

Maximilian Dixon is the Hazards & Outreach Supervisor for the Washington Emergency Management Division, and urged people to not stay close to the water overnight. “Please stay away from the beaches if you’re on a boat. Get to deep water or be mindful of currents.”

For Dixon the big message from the state is avoid the water and coasts, and realize the power behind 1-to-3 foot waves. “The height of the wave, this is really powerful water it can slam trucks and cars up against buildings. It’s a very very powerful wave.”

Lombardi hopes that the tsunami dissipates as it makes its way further inland towards the Puget Sound. “I just think that it’s going to take a lot to get through all the islands. I’d be more worried out at Anacortes or Port Angeles.”

In California, a tsunami warning—a more serious alert than an advisory—is now in effect for the coast between Cape Mendocino and the Oregon border.

Areas farther south, from the California-Mexico border to Cape Mendocino, remain under advisory.

Crescent City may see waves between 2.6 and 4.8 feet, while Port San Luis is forecast to experience waves up to 3.7 feet.

The tsunami was generated by a magnitude 8.8 earthquake that struck at 4:25 p.m. Pacific time Tuesday, centered about 80 miles southeast of Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka, and 315 miles southwest of Bering Island.

The quake originated at a depth of 46 miles beneath the ocean floor.

Tsunami wave activity has been observed across multiple locations in the Pacific, including 1.0-foot waves at Atka and Midway Island, 0.9 feet at Adak and Nikolski, and 1.1 feet in Kushiro and Hanasaki, Japan.

Most wave activity recorded so far has remained below significant threat levels for advisory areas.

Officials continue to urge residents in advisory zones—including along Washington’s coast—to avoid beaches, marinas, bays, and inlets.

Strong currents may persist for several hours and pose a danger to swimmers, boaters, and shoreline observers.

Emergency officials reiterate that tsunami waves can be unpredictable: the first wave may not be the largest, and conditions can remain hazardous for hours or even days.

Residents should wait for an official “all clear” from local authorities before returning to coastal areas.

For current tsunami information and safety guidance, visit https://tsunami.gov.

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