By Star-Advertiser staff
POSTED: 06:09 p.m. HST, Oct 27, 2012
LAST UPDATED: 08:31 p.m. HST, Oct 27, 2012

Tsunami warning sires have sounded across Hawaii and people in inundation zones should evacuate immediately, officials said. The tsunami warning was issued for Hawaii in the wake of a 7.7-magnitude earthquake off British Columbia tonight.

State Civil Defense is urging residents to move to higher ground if they are in a tsunami evacuation zone. The first waves could arrive as soon as 10:28 p.m., said the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach.

"Refer to the Tsunami Evacuation Maps in your phone book," the latest state Civil Defense message said. "If you are in a tsunami evacuation zone YOU MUST EVACUATE. If you are not in a zone stay off of the road an away form the shoreline until the all clear is sounded."

Access tsunami evacuation maps online at www.tsunami.csc.noaa.gov/map.html

“A tsunami has been generated that could cause damage along coastlines of all islands in the state of Hawaii,” the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in a statement just past 7 p.m. “Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property.”

“If they are in a tsunami evacuation zone, they should evacuate immediately,” said Shelly Kunishige, of Hawaii Civil Defense. Kunishige said sirens statewide are sounding to alert residents of the warning.

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