By Tony Winterburn • Published: 22 Jul 2020 • 9:04
Massive 7.8 earthquake strikes Alaska prompting a major tsunami alert in the US.
THE 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit about 75 miles south of Chignik in Alaska. Officials have now issued a tsunami warning for South Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula, from Kennedy Entrance to Unimak Pass. Thousands of people are affected and emergency services are working flat out to ensure that no-one is close to any beaches. Alerts have been broadcast on TV and radio warning of the dangers, army units have been deployed to help in the evacuations.
The US Tsunami Warning System said tsunami activity was predicted to hit within the next hour at points along the Alaskan coast. It said Sand Point could be hit at 11.15pm local time (8.15am BST), Kodiak at 12.05am (9.05am BST) and Cold Bay at 12.15am (9.15am BST). Witnesses recorded their experiences on earthquake-tracking website EMSC-CSEM.
One witness said: “Bed and curtains were going. Felt like a very long quake! Felt at Homer, Ak at the end of the Spit at Lands End.” Another said: “Felt very dizzy.”
Residents in the area were urged to get to “higher ground.”
The alert read: “If you are in a tsunami warning area, evacuate inland or to higher ground above and beyond designated tsunami hazard zones or move to an upper floor of a multi-storey building depending on your situation. “Move out of the water, off the beach, and away from harbours, marinas, breakwaters, bays and inlets.
“Be alert to and follow instructions from your local emergency officials because they may have more detailed or specific information for your location.”
This is a developing story.. please check back for updates
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