A tsunami warning was issued for parts of Alaska’s Pacific coast after a powerful earthquake struck Wednesday afternoon.

The magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit south of Sand Point, Alaska, near the Aleutian Islands.

“Sirens are currently blaring across parts of Alaska following a tsunami warning triggered by a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake off the state’s coastline. The U.S. Tsunami Warning Center has issued the alert for a broad stretch of the Alaska Peninsula, warning that a tsunami capable of significant coastal inundation is either underway or expected imminently,” Rawsalerts wrote.

“Residents in affected areas are advised to take immediate precautions, as dangerous flooding and strong, potentially life-threatening currents could persist for several hours after the first wave arrives. This is still developing,” the post added.

The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center issued an advisory following the earthquake.

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“A tsunami has been confirmed and some impacts are expected,” the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) said in an urgent bulletin. The warning was eventually downgraded to a tsunami advisory before being canceled by the NTWC at 2:42 p.m. AKDT.

A tsunami wave measuring 0.2 of a foot was observed at Sand Point, Alaska.

Shaking was reported in Anchorage, but the city was not at risk from the tsunami. Officials are urging people to stay away from the coast, including harbors, marinas, bays and inlets, even after the tsunami warning has passes as there could be local fluctuations with the water level.

Residents of Sand Point were advised to move to higher ground.

USA TODAY noted:

The tsunami advisory was in effect for coastal areas from Kennedy Entrance, about 40 miles southwest of Homer, to Unimak Pass — a distance of about 700 miles, according to the Alaska Earthquake Center.

Impacted cities include Cold Bay, Sand Point, and Kodiak, the Anchorage National Weather Service shared on social media on July 16. Authorities warned of potential dangerous coastal flooding, and residents were advised to move inland and to higher ground.

By about 2:43 p.m. local time, the National Tsunami Warning Center said the advisory was canceled for the coastal areas of Alaska.

“Tsunami cancellations indicate the end of the damaging tsunami threat,” the National Tsunami Warning Center said in an update. “A cancellation is issued after an evaluation of sea level data confirms that a destructive tsunami will not impact the alerted region, or after tsunami levels have subsided to non-damaging levels.”

A major earthquake, capable of causing “serious damage,” is considered to have a magnitude between 7.0 and 7.9, according to Michigan Technological University. Only about 10 to 15 earthquakes of this caliber are reported each year.

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The Alaska Earthquake Center said the magnitude 7.3 earthquake was recorded about 55 miles south of Sand Point and was located at a depth of about 9 miles. The center noted that the magnitude and location “may change slightly” as additional data are received and processed.

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