A vehicle drives by the small boat harbor in the quiet coastal town of King Cove, Alaska. AP Photo
A powerful earthquake shook southern Alaska on Wednesday afternoon. It happened at 12:37 p.m. near Sand Point, a small island town with about 600 people. The quake had a magnitude of 7.3, which is considered strong.
The shaking was felt even in Anchorage, nearly 600 miles away. This region is used to earthquakes, but this one made many people worry.
Tsunami Alert Sparks Evacuation
Right after the quake, officials issued a tsunami warning. It covered 700 miles along Alaska’s southern coast, from southwest of Homer to Unimak Pass. People in towns like Kodiak, King Cove, and Unalaska were told to move to higher ground fast.
In Seward, tourists had to leave the Alaska SeaLife Center. Staff ran through the streets telling people to go uphill. Jodie Stevens, a visitor, said they walked in the rain toward safety. Halfway up, a siren sounded. It meant everything was okay.
Warning Canceled After Quick Check
Just over an hour after the warning, it was downgraded to an advisory. By 2:45 p.m., the warning was fully canceled. The highest water level in Sand Point was just 2.5 inches above normal tide. So, no tsunami hit the coast.
Jeremy Zidek from Alaska’s emergency team said, “We always take it seriously. Even if past quakes didn’t cause waves, we follow full safety steps.”
No Major Damage Reported
Thankfully, there were no serious injuries or major damage. In Sand Point, Police Chief Benjamin Allen said everything looked fine at the harbor and airport.
The only mess was at a general store. Vickey McDonald, the manager, said bottles fell and broke in the alcohol aisle. “Barbecue sauce, pickles, and liquid smoke are everywhere. It smells horrible,” she said.
People Take Quick Action
In Unalaska, officials asked residents to go at least 50 feet above sea level or 1 mile inland. King Cove also sent alerts urging people near the coast to evacuate.
These warnings came quickly and helped people stay safe. Most towns followed plans they had prepared for emergencies like this.
Experts Still Watching the Area
Michael West, Alaska’s state seismologist, said this quake is part of a pattern. “This isn’t an isolated event,” he said. “There have been five big quakes in this area since 2020.” He believes more strong quakes are possible here.
He also warned that the region could see a major tsunami in the future. So, it’s important to stay alert.
No Threat to Lower U.S. or Canada
The National Weather Service confirmed there was no tsunami danger for California, Oregon, Washington, or Canada’s coast.
Wednesday’s earthquake reminded everyone of Alaska’s powerful natural forces. Even without damage, it showed how prepared local communities are when danger strikes.
