Earlier tsunami waves were predicted to hit Guam as early as 7:09 p.m. after a slight rise in water levels were detected between Guam and Japan at about 6 p.m. were reported by Homeland Security and Civil Defense. Residents were urged to evacuate but this morning The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center officially lifted its tsunami warning for Guam.
According to the Associated Press, The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center lifted its warning for Guam and nearby islands this morning where no damage was reported from the earthquake-driven waves. Beaches remained closed, although roads have been reopened and evactuation notices to residents in low-lying areas were lifted.
Earlier today, a tsunami hit Japan. 13-foot waves followed an 8.9 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Japan, tearing into buildings and leaving hundreds unaccounted for.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has not lifted its tsunami warning for the state of Hawaii. Hawaii expects a possible tsunami later today. Already residents of the islands have been notified and are evacuating.
The center describes a tsunami in a statement,
” A TSUNAMI IS A SERIES OF LONG OCEAN WAVES. EACH INDIVIDUAL WAVES. The CREST CAN LAST 5 TO 15 MINUTES OR MORE AND EXTENSIVELY FLOOD COASTAL AREAS. THE DANGER CAN CONTINUE FOR MANY HOURS AFTER THE INITIAL WAVE AS SUBSEQUENT WAVES ARRIVE. TSUNAMI WAVE HEIGHTS CANNOT BE PREDICTED AND THE FIRST WAVE MAY NOT BE THE LARGEST. TSUNAMI WAVES EFFICIENTLY WRAP AROUND ISLANDS. ALL SHORES ARE AT RISK NO MATTER WHICH DIRECTION THEY FACE. THE TROUGH OF A TSUNAMI WAVE MAY TEMPORARILY EXPOSE THE SEAFLOOR BUT THE AREA WILL QUICKLY FLOOD AGAIN. EXTREMELY STRONG AND UNUSUAL NEARSHORE CURRENTS CAN ACCOMPANY A TSUNAMI. DEBRIS PICKED UP AND CARRIED BY A TSUNAMI AMPLIFIES ITS DESTRUCTIVE POWER. SIMULTANEOUS HIGH TIDES OR HIGH SURF CAN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THE TSUNAMI HAZARD.”