Tsunami Warning For Alaska

November 15th, 2006

Juneau, Alaska - A massive earthquake in Japan has officials issuing a Tsunami warning for the coastal areas of Alaska and Japan.

Chances are slim that a large wave will hit Alaska, but if you live along the coast you should be prepared.

(A Tsunami Warning means that all coastal residents in the warning area who are near the beach or in low-lying regions should move immediately inland to higher ground and away from all harbors and inlets including those sheltered directly from the sea. Those feeling the earth shake, seeing unusual wave action, or the water level rising or receding may have only a few minutes before the tsunami arrival and should evacuate immediately. Homes and small buildings are not designed to withstand tsunami impacts. Do not stay in these structures. - West Coast & Alaska Tsunami Warning Center)

AlaskaReport will keep you updated as soon as more information is available for Alaska.

Japanese authorities have told the country's Pacific coast residents to flee to higher ground after a powerful 8.1 earthquake hit 240 miles east of the Etorofu islands north of Japan. A tsunami of about 6 1/2 feet tall or higher was expected to hit the Pacific coast of Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido and main island of Honshu after 3:10 a.m. AST.