8.8 Earthquake in Chile...Hawaii under Tsunami warning.

[Jerhart]

From http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americ...ex.html?hpt=T1

Pacific under tsunami threat after massive 8.8 quake strikes Chile

(CNN) -- A massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake rocked Chile early Saturday, killing at least 122 people and triggering tsunami warnings for the entire Pacific basin.

"I would like to offer my condolences to the families of the 122 people who lost their lives during the earthquake," said Chilean President-Elect Sebastian Pinera. "And by the way, the number of victims could get higher."
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said she expected the death toll to rise.
"We are taking all the necessary measures at this time," she said.

Officials did not give any information on the number of those injured. The full extent of the damage was not yet known, although there were reports of collapsed buildings and hundreds of people in the streets.

The capital of Santiago lost electricity and basic services including water and telephones. Bachelet said regional hospitals had suffered damage; some were evacuated. A major bridge connecting northern and southern Chile was rendered inoperable, and the Santiago airport was shut down for at least the next 24 hours.

Chilean television showed buildings in tatters in Concepcion, with whole sides torn off. At least two buildings there were engulfed in flames, and roads in the city were broken up, video showed.
Television Nacional de Chile reported that only three stories of a 15-story building remained standing.

Numerous aftershocks -- including one of magnitude 6.9 -- were felt within hours of the initial quake, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
"There are really aftershocks like every hour," said Felipe Baytelman, speaking to CNN from Santiago.

The quake's epicenter was located off the coast of Maule, about 200 miles southwest of Santiago. It struck at 3:34 a.m. (1:34 a.m. ET), when most people were sleeping.

"This is a major event. This happened near some very populated areas," said Randy Baldwin, a geophysicist with USGS. "With an 8.8 you expect damage to the population in the area."

The earth's rumbling was felt by millions in Chile and in parts of Argentina, as well. Some buildings in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, were evacuated....



And from: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/ap...100227015/1352

Hawaii remains under tsunami warning, sirens to sound at 6 a.m

The state Department of Transportation is urging all shipping agents and shipping companies to get their ships out of port this morning following an anticipated 6 a.m. tsunami warning.


One cruise ship is scheduled to arrive in Honolulu Harbor for refueling this morning but is scheduled to leave before 6 a.m., DOT spokeswoman Tammy Mori said.

Harbor police are also physically notifying harbor tenants about the warning.

The DOT's harbors, airports and highways divisions are all preparing for the possibility of a tsunami, Mori said.

Mori encouraged people to stay off roads to let those in tsunami evacuation zones evacuate — if necessary, Mori said.

If the tsunami warning alarms sound at 6 a.m., "we are urging people not to panic," Mori said. "It's important that those in low-lying areas can get to higher ground. We want to remind people that they have five hours to evacuate after the alarms sound."

Flight operations currently are not affected, Mori said.

But all DOT vehicles at Hawaii airports have been fueled and extra staff are on alert in case a tsunami hits, she said.

[Danounet]

I just saw this on the news. Weird because I never watch TV and turned it on this morning for some reason and got hit with this.

Also California is in Tsunami warning, but not as much as Hawaii, so If you live in california you might not want to go to the beach or beach area today/tomorrow

[MarkS]

8.8 is HUGE... I hope it doesn't get worse, but that tsunami thing sounds pretty scary.

[djansen]

My mom and sisters are in maui right now. I called them and woke them up and she said there was an alarm going off. They are in the rental car now and heading inland.

[Danounet]

My mom and sisters are in maui right now. I called them and woke them up and she said there was an alarm going off. They are in the rental car now and heading inland.

Wow man, You must be worried like hell. I wish them the best for you

[j_h_smith]

I've got family there on the big Island, they work for the US government. I've not been able to get a hold of them. I know nothing has happened yet, so I'm thinking they were called into work and can't answer their phones.

I hope it's nothing more than about a 3 foot wave. Yeah, I know, wishful thinking.

Jim Smith

[2kdime]

So if it's coming, it'll make land at 11am Hawaii time today?

[j_h_smith]

So if it's coming, it'll make land at 11am Hawaii time today?

Yeah, I heard sometime after 4pm EST.

Jim Smith

[LadyOhh]

Also California is in Tsunami warning, but not as much as Hawaii, so If you live in california you might not want to go to the beach or beach area today/tomorrow

Yeah, I'm staying inland.

I'm hoping nothing serious happens in Hawaii. It would be devastating...

[JenEric Reptiles]

I just called my dad he lives a block and a half from the ocean on the west side of Oahu ... He said he was going to leave soon... I hope he does...That's where I'm originally from can't post a pic from my iPhone but if you google my old addy 91-658 kilaha st 96706 .. I pray for my family and friends....