Sirens sound in Hawaii to warn of Tsunami threat

Loud sirens are sounding across Hawaii as residents prepare for a possible tsunami triggered by the massive quake in Chile.

Those in coastal areas are being urged to evacuate, and any “event” is not expected earlier than 4:05pm Pacific. The warnings are dire as residents flood gas stations and local Wal-Marts to stock up ahead of the possible tsunami:

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center Director Charles McCreery said Hawaii would see some effect from the earthquake.

“We believe it will be a threat here in Hawaii, that’s why we initiated a warning, not only for a Hawaii, but for the entire Pacific,” McCreery said.

Asked by CNN affiliate KHON whether it was possible Hawaii wouldn’t see any effect from the earthquake, McCreery said, “No, I wouldn’t say that’s possible at all. I think there’s no chance we’ll see no effect from this event.

“So people need to take this very seriously.”

But he added, “We’re not expecting this to be a worst-case scenario, but we are expecting … dangerous waves coming on shore, and people need to take it very seriously.”

Evacuation shelters are said to not be open, and there is no word as to whether plans are in place to operate shelters in evacuation zones:

John Cummings, Oahu Emergency Management Department spokesman, told The Honolulu Advertiser that “If you live anywhere in the evacuation zone, you have to evacuate.

“This is a serious event. We’re going to treat this as a destructive-type tsunami.”

The state’s two U.S. senators, Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel K. Akaka, urged Hawaii residents to remain calm.

“If you live in an evacuation zone I urge you to gather your family and please leave the area,” Inouye said.

After the first wave hits, the threat is supposed to last several hours as the wave field ricochets across the islands.