As Hawaii residents were urged to evacuate under threat of a devastating tsunami officials issued statements about how to prepare for the possibility of natural disaster.

Locals were told to stay aware of their zones and if they are in a high-impact zone for tsunami's in the event of an emergency.

'Head to higher ground or as far inland as possible,' Drew Davis for Hawaii News Now said.

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency advised residents to remain at least 100 feet away from inland waterways or marinas connected to the ocean due to wave surges and possible flooding.

'If possible, remove or deploy vessels to deep water,' the agency said.

It further advised anyone to locate evacuation zones or find higher ground, above the fourth floor, of structural steel or reinforced concrete buildings of ten or more stories for increased protection.

Millions of Americans were urged to brace for a tsunami to hit following a massive 8.7 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Russia.

A tsunami watch has been extended to cover the entire West Coast of the United States

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency advised residents to remain at least 100 feet away from inland waterways or marinas connected to the ocean due to wave surges and possible flooding

Hawaii residents were urged to evacuate from coastal areas as the entire island prepares for the 1am EST impact.

Traffic was backed up in some Honolulu neighborhoods as residents flee to safety, and officials prepared to open a mountain pass as an evacuation route out of Waianae, a coastal community on the island of Oahu, Rep. Darius Kila said according to the Weather Channel.

Warnings were also put into effect for parts of Alaska and Japan, while a tsunami watch expanded to cover the entire West Coast of the United States.

Waves were expected to reach California at around 3am EST.

Data from the US Geological Survey shows the quake reached a magnitude of 8.7 and struck about 84 miles east-southeast of Kamchatska, Russia at around 7.24pm EST.

The Department of Emergency Management for Oahu, an island of Hawaii, urged residents on the coast to evacuate the area or at least move to higher ground ahead.

Officials in Guam also urged residents to get off the beaches and harbors.

The tsunami 'could be destructive' to coastal areas, authorities at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned.

The quake reached a magnitude of 8.7 and struck about 84 miles east-southeast of Kamchatska at around 7.24pm EST

The warning added that 'waves reaching more than three meters above the tide level [or about 10 feet] are possible along some coasts of Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.'

The National Weather Service also warned residents they 'are in danger.'

'Get away from coastal waters. Move to high ground or inland now. Keep away from the coast until local officials say it is safe to return,' the department said in an alert.

Meteorologist Matthew Cappucci also urged Americans to 'prepare to evacuate vertically if warnings are issued.'

'Move away from beaches, harbors, marinas, bays and inlets. If you're in a boat and cannot reach shore, sail away from the coast into deeper waters where the tsunami's energy will be dispersed. Head to a place with an ocean depth of at least 180 feet.'

The earthquake on Tuesday came just over one week after several other tremors struck the area, including one that measured a 7.4 magnitude.

Tuesday's earthquake is the largest this year, and is the first magnitude 8.0 or higher since 2021.