The US West Coast is on high alert over tsunami fears as the first waves were recorded in San Francisco and Northern California.

The National Weather Service warned: ‘Waves will continue to build in through the night and will become more dangerous as we approach high tide. Stay away from beaches!’

Residents in Hawaii were told to immediately leave coastal areas ahead of waves, which have now landed. The US National Weather Service warned that the danger from strong currents, debris and high tides can continue for hours.

Nearly two million people have evacuated on Japan’s east coast as tsunami waves could reach almost 10 feet after first waves arrived in Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido this morning. Beaches were deserted as people took cover, some on building roofs