Japan is bracing for a massive 15ft tsunami and has told two million people to evacuate following a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake that has sent tsunami waves flying out across the wold.
Tsunami waves hit both Japan and Russia on Tuesday evening, and the first waves to strike the United States are due to hit Hawaii within minutes.
Sirens have been blaring across the island as residents were warned to evacuate or seek shelter on the fourth floor or higher of high rise buildings.
Authorities indicated waves as high as 10 feet, or three meters, above normal tide level could tear through coastal towns within minutes.
Meanwhile millions of Americans across Guam, California, Washington and Oregon are under various levels of warnings, with tsunami waves expected to land throughout the night.
The quake reached a magnitude of 8.8 – which makes it the sixth strongest earthquake ever measured.
It struck about 84 miles east-southeast of Kamchatska, off the coast of Russia, about 7.24pm EST.
Buildings in Russia were captured on video already under water or being entirely washed away after the first waves hit.
Several people were taken to hospital with various injuries. At least one woman sustained injuries by jumping out of a window, Russian authorities said.
It is the largest earthquake to hit since 2011, when a 9.1 megaquake hit northeast Japan and left 19,747 people either dead or missing.
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A British grandmother-of-five who is staying in Hawaii has revealed her and her family’s terror following the announcement of the tsunami.
Sharon, 66, who is currently staying in a hotel in Waikiki beach with her husband, two daughters and five grandchildren, told MailOnline she and her family have been told to stay inside and move to higher levels.
She said: ‘The hotel said don’t evacuate, just get to floor four or above and stay put.
‘We found out about the tsunami from our phones and a really loud alarm.
‘We are definitely scared and at first I didn’t know whether to stay put or literally run for the hills.’
Sharon added that she and her family have ben left petrified by the warnings: ‘The grandchildren know what’s happening but they are ok as we’ve reassured them it is all ok.
‘So far we have just wasted half a day of holiday by staying in the hotel. I don’t really feel safe, and I won’t until we get all clear. It still hasn’t hit this island yet.’
Japan warns tsunami threat may last another day
Japan’s Meteorological Agency warned that the threat of a high tsunami will last for another day.
Masashi Kiyomoto, a spokesperson for the agency, asked people to get to high ground and other safe places as the tsunami continues to be observed
