Hawaii Tsunami Warning Canceled, Beaches Still Closed

weather.com Published: Oct 28, 2012, 7:53 AM EDT Associated Press

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AP PHOTO/EUGENE TANNER

Visitors and Oahu residents watch the water level in the Ala Wai Harbor waiting for the arrival of a tsunami Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Honolulu.

Emergency sirens sounded around Hawaii late Saturday warning about an oncoming tsunami, after a powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Canada.

Even as 120,000 people along Hawaii's coast rushed to higher ground, officials downgraded a tsunami warning to an advisory for southern Alaska and British Columbia. They also issued an advisory for areas of northern California and southern Oregon.  By 7a.m. EST, Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie downgraded the warning to an advisory although beaches and harbors were still closed across the state.

"We're very, very grateful that we can go home tonight counting our blessings," Abercrombie said.

A small tsunami created by the magnitude 7.7 quake was barely noticeable in Craig, Alaska, where the first wave or surge was recorded Saturday night. Residents in parts of British Columbia were evacuated but the province appeared to escape the biggest quake in Canada since 1949 largely unscathed.

PTWC

This image shows one of the tsunami forecast models, illustrating how the tsunami is pointed at Hawaii.

A geologist tracking a tsunami in Hawaii told The Weather Channel early Sunday that the first waves that hit the shore were smaller than expected.

Gerard Fryer of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the largest wave was measured at 5 feet in Maui in the first 45 minutes. 

The National Weather Service says there are reports of water quickly receding in bays, including Hilo Bay on the Big Island.

(MORE: Earthquake Safety and Preparedness)

Warning sirens blared while residents dove away from coasts and tourists were evacuated from lower floors of beachside hotels. Incoming bus routes were shut off into Waikiki and police shut down a Halloween block party in Honolulu.

At first, officials said the islands weren't in any danger of a tsunami, but they later issued a warning, saying there had been a change in sea readings.