The 8.7-magnitude earthquake that struck off the eastern coast of Russia has started to produce tsunami waves. Early reports confirm that the first waves hit the Russian town of Severo-Kurilsk and also reached northern Japan.

Russian Port Town Sees Flooding

Severo-Kurilsk, a small port town with around 2,000 residents, was one of the first places hit. Russia’s emergency ministry said in a statement, “The tsunami flooded parts of the port town of Severo-Kurilsk … The population has been evacuated.”

Footage shared on Russian social media platforms shows water flooding through the streets. Some buildings were partly submerged as the tide rushed inland. Videos on X also show seawater breaking into structures near the coast.

Japan Reports First Wave, Warns of Bigger Ones

Japan’s public broadcaster NHK said the first wave arrived in northern Hokkaido, measuring about 30 centimeters (1 foot) in height. Authorities warned that stronger waves could still come.

Japan’s meteorological agency had earlier predicted that waves could reach up to three meters high. These waves were expected to affect much of Japan’s northern and eastern coastline, including areas as far south as Wakayama, near Osaka.

US and Pacific Regions on High Alert

The United States is also preparing for possible impacts. The National Tsunami Warning Center in Alaska issued warnings for the Aleutian Islands. A tsunami watch was put in place for parts of the US West Coast, including California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii. Large areas along Alaska’s coastline, including parts of the panhandle, were also under alert.

Meanwhile, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center stated that waves between 1 to 3 meters above normal sea level could hit coastal areas in Hawaii, Chile, Japan, and the Solomon Islands. In some places, like Russia and Ecuador, waves could be even higher—more than 3 meters.