Effects in Russia: evacuations and blackouts on the peninsula
The shock caused immediate tsunami alarms, with waves reported between 3 and 5 meters in the north of the peninsula. The coastal town of Severo-Kurilsk has seen its roads and the port submerged by the water. The evacuations were immediately taken: many residents were brought to the heights, while the Ministry of Emergency Situations declared the state of emergency in the area. In Petropavlovsk-Kamcatsky there were blackouts, interruptions to telephone networks and damage to some public buildings, including schools and kindergartens. Local authorities speak of “numerous injured”, mostly slight. The governor of Kamchatka, Vladimir SoloDov, invited the residents to keep away from the coasts and follow the announcements of the speakers.
Tsunami in Japan: evacuations and stops in Fukushima
In Japan, immediately after the Kamchatka earthquake, the national meteorological agency (JMA) issued a tsunami alert along the entire eastern and northern coast, from Hokkaido south of Osaka. More than 1.9 million people have been evacuated in some areas. Waves of tsunami up to one meter were recorded in Hokkaido, while the authorities had foreseen waves up to 3 meters. “The inhabitants of the regions in which alarms have been issued must immediately evacuate towards safe places, elevated areas or evacuation buildings,” said Yoshimasa Hayashi, spokesman for the Japanese government. The workers of the Fukushima nuclear power plant, former theater of the accident of 2011, were also evacuated, even if the manager Tepco does not report anomalies to the plants.
Reactions and alert on the peaceful coasts: from the United States to South America
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported that the first waves of the tsunami hit Hawaii and Alaska. The sea level in Hawaii fell abruptly, forcing the closure of ports and the activation of emergency shelters. In the coastal regions of California and Alaska, the Tsunami alert led to preventive evacuations and suspension of access to the beaches. The mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, confirmed the preparation of rescue teams and extraordinary measures for coastal communities, while Port San Luis received waves greater than one meter. Alert messages have been sent on cell phones throughout the peaceful coast of the United States. Donald Trump, former president of the United States, wrote: “Strong and be safe!”.
Global alert: evacuations and notices from Peru to Japan
Other countries overlooking the Pacific responded by launching evacuation plans. Peru has activated its tsunami alarm, with expected waves up to 3 meters. Ecuador, Mexico, Chile and numerous insular states, including Galapagos and French Polynesia, have ordered the immediate removal of the population from the beaches and suspended port activities. In New Zealand and in the Philippines, the authorities have invited those who reside in coastal areas to move towards the inside or on high ground. China has reported alarms on different points of the coast, while the inhabitants of the areas involved were notified through public systems and announcements by the speakers.
Consequences and risks: shocks of settling and state of emergency
The Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences provides that the tightens can continue for weeks, reaching magnitude up to 7.5. The authorities are monitoring the situation, requesting maximum prudence and attention to updates. According to data from the USGS, this earthquake is among the strongest recorded in the last century, recalling the memory of historical events such as that of Tohoku in 2011 and the 1952 shock in the same region. In many of the affected areas, the schools have remained closed, while the ports and commercial activities along the coasts are still suspended for safety measures.
TheVermilion.com is also on WhatsApp. Simply click here to register for the channel and always be updated (free).