8.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Near Kodiak, Tsunami Warning Issued

A powerful 8.2 magnitude earthquake hit at 12:32 AM Alaska Standard Time 175 miles southeast of Kodiak, Alaska, according to multiple news outlets. A tsunami warning for much of coastal Alaska and British Columbia was issued immediately after.

People in Kodiak are reportedly getting on buses and heading to higher ground. Reports of a large wave heading that way are causing people to seek safety.

Here is the text of the warning:

…THE TSUNAMI WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE COASTAL
AREAS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ALASKA FROM THE WASH./BC
BORDER TO ATTU ALASKA…
If you are located in this coastal area, move inland
to higher ground.
Tsunami warnings mean that a tsunami with significant
inundation is possible or is already occurring. Tsunamis are
a series of waves dangerous many hours after initial arrival
time. The first wave may not be the largest.

Estimated tsunami start times for selected sites are;
Kodiak Alaska 145 AM. AKST. January 23.
Elfin Cove Alaska 150 AM. AKST. January 23.
Seward Alaska 155 AM. AKST. January 23.
Yakutat Alaska 200 AM. AKST. January 23.
Sitka Alaska 200 AM. AKST. January 23.
Langara British Columbia 210 AM. AKST. January 23.
Valdez Alaska 215 AM. AKST. January 23.
Cordova Alaska 220 AM. AKST. January 23.
Sand Point Alaska 220 AM. AKST. January 23.
Unalaska Alaska 240 AM. AKST. January 23.
Homer Alaska 250 AM. AKST. January 23.
Craig Alaska 300 AM. AKST. January 23.
Cold Bay Alaska 300 AM. AKST. January 23.
Adak Alaska 305 AM. AKST. January 23.
Tofino British Columbia 340 AM. AKST. January 23.
Shemya Alaska 345 AM. AKST. January 23.
Saint Paul Alaska 400 AM. AKST. January 23.
The tsunami warning will remain in effect until further notice.
Refer to the internet site tsunami.gov for more information.

I felt my house shake in Anchorage for about 45 seconds. Alaskans from all over the state were and are posting about it on social media. Check http://www.tsunami.gov/ for updates. Stay safe everyone.

Update, 2 am:

Police knocking on doors in Kodiak and sirens going off. People heading to higher ground.

Homer Spit and boat launch being evacuated. Homer Fire and harbor officials making sure people get out.

Road out of Seward is packed. Line at gas station huge. People headed north to Bear Creek.

If you have any stories or information, please email me at jeff@alaskalanmine.com