On July 29, Rachel Burrows was on a peaceful tour around Hawaii’s Big Island when her vacation took an unexpected turn. An 8.8 magnitude earthquake near Russia sparked tsunami alerts, warning residents and visitors of imminent danger.
As waves began hitting the coast, officials ordered immediate evacuation of low-lying areas. Traffic stopped, and panic set in among the crowds. Rachel’s tour group reached a chocolate factory only to be told by the owner that the shop had to close, and they needed to leave immediately.
'It was quite scary'
British tourist Rachael Burrows is on a cruise ship off the coast of Hawaii, and spoke to #BBCBreakfast about being evacuated from the island due to tsunami warnings triggered by a magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula… pic.twitter.com/bKb2KTOqcl
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) July 30, 2025
Sirens blared as everyone hurried back to the cruise ship, which quickly set sail for deeper waters. Though the tsunami alert was soon downgraded, safety messages remained in place, closing beaches and advising caution.
Rachel’s story shows how calm vacations can change unexpectedly but highlights the vital role of quick action and clear communication during emergencies.
