Tsunami advisory for Washington coast canceled after 8.8 earthquake near Russia

A tsunami watch, which was upgraded to an advisory for the Washington coast late Tuesday night, has now been canceled.

The National Weather Service (NWS) provided an update around 11 a.m. Wednesday. While the alerts have ended, NWS has advised people to check with local officials to determine the areas are safe to return.

ICYMI: All tsunami alerts have ended for WA state. The threat of inundation over 1 ft has ended. However, local impacts may still be ongoing. Please follow the instructions of local officials who have the authority to determine if it is safe to return to the affected areas. https://t.co/0WuJjLldk3

— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) July 30, 2025

The tsunami advisory spanned from the outer coast of the Oregon and Washington border to Slip Point, the Columbia River estuary coast, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

The National Tsunami Center explained in its report that a tsunami advisory includes strong currents and waves that can be dangerous to people in or near the water. It also recommended staying out of the water, away from beaches, and waterways.

Coastal areas were advised to stay alert, as stated by the National Weather Service (NWS).

“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,” NWS Seattle stated just before 4 a.m. Wednesday.

Waves along the Washington Coast have reportedly been around 3 inches to 1.3 feet, according to KIRO 7 meteorologist Nick Allard.

Wave heights so far at the coast. Ranging from 3″ to 1.3′. #NickKnows #wawx pic.twitter.com/SneiwvHh3J

— Nick Allard (@NickAllardKIRO7) July 30, 2025

The advisory across the West Coast spanned from Alaska to the California-Mexico border, as shown on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s online map.  The advisory was upgraded to a warning for the area from the Oregon/California border to the Humboldt/Del Norte Line, California, on Wednesday at approximately 5:20 a.m.

The weather event came after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Russia on Tuesday at 4:25, NWS reported. The earthquake is tied for the sixth-strongest magnitude ever recorded, since Japan’s 9.1 magnitude earthquake in 2011.

Tsunami advisory issued for Washington coast late Tuesday night

KIRO Newsradio’s Luke Duecy was on the scene in Ocean Shores.

In #OceanShores after last night’s #TsunamiWarningAlert – a lot of nervous people last night. Many wondering if it’s a matter of time… more on @KIRONewsradio and @Mynorthwest pic.twitter.com/7wU4seFOKL

— Luke Duecy (@LukeKIRO) July 30, 2025

Areas in Washington were affected from 11:30 p.m. Tuesday to 1:15 a.m. Wednesday.

Long Beach would have experienced high waves at 11:45 p.m., Westport at 11:55 p.m., Port Angeles at 12:20 a.m., Port Townsend at 12:45 a.m., and Bellingham at 1:10 a.m.

“The shaking of the earth is your warning of tsunami,” the City of Seattle’s website stated. “Once the shaking stops, run to high ground. If there is no higher ground or no time to reach higher ground, climb into the upper levels of a multi-story structure.”

For a detailed list of potentially affected areas, visit NWS’s website.

Contributing: Jason Sutich, MyNorthwest

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