A TSUNAMI warning extended to most of the Pacific basin last night after the massive earthquake off Japan. The following are developments in the Western Pacific.
HAWAII
The first signs of a tsunami washed up on the shores of Hawaii early yesterday, as waves steadily rose over southern beaches on the island of Oahu. There were no major damages reported, and Honolulu mayor Peter Carlisle has issued an “all clear” signal that will allow residents return home.
Civil defence officials had ordered coastal areas to be evacuated, including Honolulu’s famed Waikiki Beach tourist hub. Lines for gasoline stretched for blocks, and people rushed to stores to stock up on emergency supplies and water.
The main airports were shut down as a precaution, and the Navy ordered all warships in Pearl Harbor to remain in port.
CALIFORNIA
Tsunami waves reached 6 feet (2 metres) in parts of northern California and forced thousands from coastal homes.
About 35 boats and harbour docks were damaged in northern Crescent City, while Santa Cruz harbor sustained about $2 million (€1.44 million) in damage, emergency officials told local television.
Local emergency operations centre spokesman Joey Young said two surges had so far hit Crescent City, the first about 3.7 feet (1 metre) and the second somewhat higher.
Officials urged Californians not to assume the worst was over. “We’re just getting started,” said Jordan Scott, a spokesman for the California Emergency Management Agency.
MEXICO
Waves hit Mexico’s northwestern Pacific coast but there were no reports of damage, and President Felipe Calderon said the worst appeared to be over in that area.
Marine spokesman Jose Luis Vergara said the waves reached 2.3 feet (70cm), lower than expected, on arrival at Ensenada, 60 miles (100km) south of Tijuana.
Most ports along Mexico’s western coast were closed, including Los Cabos and Salina Cruz in southern Oaxaca.
Five oil tankers set to export oil products such as gasoline to Mexico’s domestic market were stuck at the port until conditions improve, state oil agency Pemex said. The company reported no problems at its coastal oil operations.
A Walt Disney Co cruise ship was also stranded nearly 2 miles (3km) off-shore at tourist spot Cabo San Lucas, transport ministry official Alejandro Chacon said.
CENTRAL AMERICA
Governments in Central America were on alert. In Honduras, the police and army were ready to carry out evacuations where needed, while Guatemala and Costa Rica were informing crews of small ships not to sail.
Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom said afternoon classes had been cancelled in schools on the coast and the government was preparing an evacuation plan for 17 municipalities.
ECUADOR
Ecuadorean president Rafael Correa declared a state of emergency across the Andean nation and urged coastal and island residents to evacuate promptly to higher areas.
State oil company Petroecuador halted product shipments. Ships were stopped, brought back to port or rerouted into open waters in the case of big vessels.
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Residents and tourists moved to higher ground on the Galapagos Islands – a popular tourist destination off the coast of Ecuador known for its spectacular wildlife, including endangered species, that inspired British naturalist Charles Darwin’s evolution theory in the 19th century.
CANADA
Canada issued tsunami advisories for parts of British Columbia. Local governments were advised to evacuate marinas, beaches and other areas below the normal high tide mark.
GUAM
Guam appeared to have emerged unscathed and the tsunami warning was lifted with no visible signs of a wave. Authorities had ordered evacuations in low-lying areas and advised tourists in hotels to take shelter on the sixth floor and above.
EASTER ISLAND
Residents in low-lying areas of the Chilean territory in the South Pacific were to evacuate to the island’s airport, which lies 148 feet (45 metres) above sea level, before a possible tsunami which was expected later yesterday.
CHILE
President Sebastian Pinera called on Chileans to remain alert but to continue with their daily routines. As a precaution, authorities said they were moving patients from hospitals in some coastal areas in south-central Chile, which had been hit by a massive 8.8 magnitude quake and ensuing tsunami last year.
Chile’s copper exporting ports of Antofagasta and Iquique were working as usual. State oil company Enap said ports supplying its two refineries were also operating normally.
The government was warning ships in Chilean waters of a possible tsunami, and ports sent large vessels out to sea.
PERU
Peruvian officials said they were waiting until late afternoon to decide whether they would order evacuations from low-lying coastal areas. At the popular Punta Roquitas surfbreak in Peru’s capital, surfers were suiting up.
“For there to be a tsunami, the sea water has to suck out and pull back first. If that happens, we’ll paddle into shore and leave.
“But I’ve never seen the sea recede like that,” said professional surfer Gabriel Aramburu.
– (Reporting by Reuters correspondents in the Americas; compiled by Anthony Boadle; editing by Doina Chiacu)