Evacuation ordered for coastal areas of Big Island because of tsunami warning

Hawaiʻi County ordered the evacuation of all tsunami inundation zones as a result of the tsunami warning issued for the Hawaiian Islands.

The first tsunami wave is expected to arrive at Big Island coasts about 7:17 p.m. today.

County officials are telling the public to leave all coastal innundation zones around the island no later than 6:15 p.m.

Click here to find out whether you are in a tsunami zone.

Tsunami waves can continue for hours or even days. Stay away from coastal areas until officials say it is safe to return.

Emergency shelters also are open at the following locations:

• Puueo Community Center, 145 Wainaku St., Hilo.
• Panaʻewa Park, 100 Ohuohu St., Panaʻewa.
• Keaʻau Armory, 16-512 Volcano Road, Keaʻau.
• Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility, 15-3022 Kauhale St., Pāhoa.
• Kaʻū District Gym, 96-1219 Kamani St., Pāhala.
• Nāʻālehu Community Center, 95-5635 Hawaiʻi Belt Road, Nāʻālehu.
• Yano Hall, 82-6145 Māmalahoa Highway, Captain Cook.
• Kealakehe High School Gym, 74-5000 Puʻohulihuli St., Kealakehe.
• Waimea Community Center, 65-1260 Kawaihae Road, Waimea.
• Hisaoka Gym, 54-382 Kamehameha Park Road, Kapaʻau.
• Honokaʻa Gym, 45-541 Lehua St., Honokaʻa.

If you are outside the tsunami evacuation zone, you are safe. Residents and others outside the evacuation zones should stay off roads to help alleviate traffic congestion.

An earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 8.8 happened at 1:25 p.m. today off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia. Evidence of a tsunami was recorded in the western Pacific Ocean.

County emergency officials offer these tsunami safety tips:

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Set a meeting place in case you are separated. Set up an off-island point-of-contact who can pass along messages if local communications are disrupted.

Check on neighbors, especially if they are older, have children, have disabilities, speak another language or have another situation that might make it difficult for them to prepare. Assist them if you can.

If there is time before you evacuate, shut off cooking gas, electricity and water supplies at the point they enter your home. This can reduce damage and make conditions safer for first responders and repair crews after the tsunami waves stop.

Sign up to receive emergency notifications via cellphone, email or text at the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense website.