A tsunami watch has been upgraded to a tsunami advisory for parts of British Columbia following a magnitude 8.8 earthquake off the coast of Russia.The quake, which occurred 136 km southeast of Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka, is one of the most powerful in recent history..According to EmergencyInfoBC, there are four "areas of impact":A) The North Coast and Haida GwaiiB) Central Coast and Northeast Vancouver Island coast including Kitimat, Bella Coola, and Port HardyC) West Coast of Vancouver Island from Cape Scott to Port RenfrewD) Juan de Fuca Strait from Jordan River to Greater Victoria (including the Saanich Peninsula)EmergencyInfoBC has urged those in the aforementioned regions to leave the water immediately, avoid going to the ocean, follow official instructions, move their boats, and wait for the "all clear" before returning to the coast. People have been asked not to call 911 to report the earthquake.A tsunami advisory is in the middle of the threat levels, and means "Strong currents likely. Stay away from the shore." Next up is a tsunami warning.Waves under 0.3 metres are expected to reach Langara Island on Haida Gwaii shortly after 10 p.m., and Tofino at 11:30 p.m."Waves arrive in a series & the first may not be the biggest," EmergencyInfoBC noted. "Avoid beaches, harbours & marinas where strong currents may occur.".Footage from Russia shows the power of the quake, shaking cars and tossing debris through the air..The west coast of the United States has also been placed on tsunami watch, while the entire Hawaiian archipelago is under tsunami warning..Sirens went off at 4:10 p.m. Hawaii time, with the first wave impact believed to arrive three hours later..In Honolulu and beyond, countless people have been spotted trying to make it to higher ground in anticipation of the waves.
