“A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States. Japan is also in the way. Please visit tsunami.gov for the latest information. STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!”

Shortly after an 8.8-magnitude earthquake that sent tsunami warnings across many continents rocked Russia’s remote Kamchatka Peninsula, the urgent communication was sent.

Waves were predicted to arrive in Alaska, Washington State, Oregon, and California early on Wednesday morning, and to reach Hawaii by 7:15 p.m. local time.

The U.S. Geological Survey raised the initial magnitude of the earthquake from 8.0 to 8.8. It occurred off the eastern coast of Russia shortly after 8:25 am local time.

It was 13 miles deep, shallow enough to provide