Donald Trump issues urgent warning to millions as major tsunami set to hit

President Donald Trump has urged people to 'stay strong and stay safe' after one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded triggered a tsunami.

The US commander-in-chief, 79, shared a warning to Americans situated in Hawaii, Alaska and along the Pacific Coast before the first waves were expected to hit the shorelines.

Russia's Far East was rocked by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake at 11:25 local time on Wednesday (30 July), sparking widespread floods and leaving several people with minor injuries.

Those situated across the Pacific were then warned to start preparing for a tsunami after the tremor - which may be the sixth-largest earthquake that the world has ever seen - struck.

A surge of water first barrelled towards the coastal area of Severo-Kurilsk, which is the main settlement on Russia’s Kuril Islands in the Pacific, local governor Valery Limarenko said.

Residents rushed to higher ground until the threat of a repeat wave had ceased. Waves of up to four metres were recorded in the far east of Vladimir Putin's country, reports say.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre then issued urgent advice for those in other coastal areas.

The Russian city of Severo-Kurilsk is among the areas which were flooded in wake of the powerful earthquake (Kamchatka of Geophysical Survey/Anadolu via Getty Images)

People in Japan, the Philippines, Chile and parts of the US - such as Hawaii, California and Alaska - were urged to evacuate as experts warned waves of one to three metres above tide level could hit.

"Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property," the warning stated.

Amid the panic gripping countries across the globe, Donald Trump took to Truth Social to share his own message to Americans who are situated in the danger zones.

"Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii," the President wrote on his social media platform.

"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!"

Since he shared the post a few hours ago, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre announced that waves had started to hit Hawaii.

The tallest wave measured so far - which was over 5ft (1.52 metres) in height - was reported in Kahulu which is on the north-central shore of Maui island, data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.

A map depicting the locations along the Pacific coast which are under warnings, watch or at threat (US Tsunami Warning Center)

A wave that was 4ft (1.21 metres) was also recorded hitting Hale'iwa, which is located on Waialua Bay, according to the BBC.

Hawaii's governor, Josh Green, had told locals that a 6ft (1.8m) wave was en route after it passed through the Midway Atoll island that sits between Japan and Hawaii.

"We're still expecting a significant wave," he said, adding that measures would only be called off when officials are sure there is 'total safety'.

After the initial waves hit the island state this morning, Green said that there had 'not been a wave of consequence' so far, which he described as a 'great relief'.

However, officials have reported that large amounts of water have receded, which is a hallmark of a pending tsunami.

"We still have not seen any wave activity come past the Big Island," the governor said. "That's important. Until we see what happens on the Big Island, we won't feel we're in a position to start saying that we're in the clear.

"Just lay low tonight and watch TV, please," Green added, while encouraging people to avoid the roads and remain 100ft above sea level or two miles inland 'just in case'.

Hawaiians were urged to avoid coastal areas and evacuate to higher ground (GoAkamai/Hawaii Department of Transportation)

Dave Snider, a tsunami warning co-ordinator with the National Tsunami Warning Centre in Alaska, said earlier that waves under 30 centimetres above tide levels were observed in the Alaskan communities of Amchitka and Adak.

The northern coast of Japan was also met by 40cm waves, followed up by a tsunami of 60cm being recorded at Hamanaka on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido and the Kuji port in Iwate on the main island.

But authorities warned that the worst is still likely yet to come, hence why 1.9 million people in the country have been ordered to evacuate.

The nation's Meteorological Agency explained that a tsunami could continue to hit over the coming days following the earthquake.

"Tsunamis are still being observed, and there is a risk of damage from tsunamis," a statement said. "Tsunamis can strike suddenly. Please do not leave safe places until the warning is lifted.

"When the tsunami coincides with high tide, there is a possibility that the water level will rise further than it currently is."

China, the Philippines, Indonesia, New Zealand, Peru and Mexico are among other countries who have issued tsunami alerts while urging people to seek safety.