Thousands flee coastal areas after an 8.2-magnitude earthquake strikes off Alaska coast

Thousands flee coastal areas after an 8.2-magnitude earthquake strikes off Alaska coast

Thousands fled coastal areas after an 8.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska, leading to tsunami warnings canceled three hours later.

The earthquake struck 56 miles southeast of the town of Perryville, Alaska. Perryville is a small village in Alaska.

Hawaii officials later rescinded a tsunami warning for the state.

Thousands were forced to flee coastal areas after an 8.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska, leading to tsunami warnings canceled three hours later.

The US government's National Tsunami Warning Center immediately issued an alert for southern Alaska and the Alaskan Peninsula but canceled all warnings after about three hours.

The maximum wave height detected by the center was eight inches above tide level, with a small tsunami hitting at least six points off the coast of Alaska.

The tsunami sirens were broadcast across Kodiak, an island of about 6,000 people, along the Alaskan coast. Locals living near sea level were asked to evacuate to higher ground.

Small waves hit the Kodiak coast, local radio station KMXT reports. It added that the authorities lifted the evacuation orders, but there were no reports of damage.

USGS said the earthquake occurred at 10:15 pm. Local time, at a depth of 29 miles. According to the agency, eight aftershocks were recorded within 90 minutes of the quake, the largest of which was a magnitude 6.2.

Videos posted by Kodiak journalists and residents on social media showed people evacuating, driving away from the coast, or walking in groups to higher ground where sirens could be heard.

"This is the scariest thing that has ever happened to me while I was here," said resident Joseph Pina, a Filipino who works in the area on a summer job.

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy tweeted that the state's Emergency Operations Center has been activated and that authorities reach out to communities in tsunami warning areas.

A series of strong waves and strong currents may affect the coasts near you. You are in danger. Stay away from coastal waters. Move to higher ground or indoors now. Would you please stay away from the beach until local officials say it is safe to return?

A tsunami, if generated, will hit Kodiak at 11:55 pm, an announcer for local radio station KMXT said. That period passed without any tsunami, according to the announcer for local radio station KMXT.

A tsunami watch has also been issued in Hawaii, which means residents must stay away from the beaches. However, the authorities later rescinded the warning.

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