Main image via Ada Derana  + Twitter
 

Early this morning, New Zealand was struck by not one, but three powerful earthquakes that triggered a tsunami warning.
 
Tens of thousands of coastal residents in New Zealand, New Caledonia and Vanuatu were told to evacuate and flee for higher ground in fears that the cluster of earthquakes would cause a tsunami to occur.
 

3 very strong earthquakes have struck near New Zealand within 6 hours of one another. The 8.1 #earthquake has prompted a #Tsunami watch for Hawaii. The potential threat is still being evaluated there and for the west coast of North America by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. pic.twitter.com/yaaanJLw2M

— Ed Piotrowski (@EdPiotrowski) March 4, 2021

The third and largest quake struck around 1,000km off the New Zealand coast, which caused residents in some areas to receive emergency alerts on their phones from the New Zealand National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) that prompted them to “EVACUATE NOW” as the tsunami sirens rang out.
 
The emergency agency warned people near the coast that a “damaging tsunami is possible” and “do not stay at home”.
 
Before the powerful 8.1-magnitude earthquake, New Zealands was hit with “tremors” that measured 7.4 and 7.3 respectively.
 
“People near the coast… must move immediately to the nearest high ground, out of all tsunami evacuation zones, or as far inland as possible,” the emergency agency said.
 
“The earthquake may not have been felt in some of these areas, but evacuation should be immediate as a damaging tsunami is possible,” they shared.
 

#BREAKING: People evacuated to higher ground in American Samoa (Utulei) due to #Tsunami warning after massive earthquake around New Zealand. First wave expected at 10:19 AM.#NewZealand pic.twitter.com/CTQZ1c46rO

— Newsistaan (@newsistaan) March 4, 2021

VIDEO: New Zealand residents seek refuge on hill after tsunami alert.

People walk to the top of a hill as tsunami sirens ring through the Bay of Islands, in New Zealand's North Island pic.twitter.com/iTb0g2OsMS

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 5, 2021

Though there has been much damage caused by the three earthquakes, NZ residents can breathe a little easier as the tsunami warning has now been downgraded from a “land and marine threat” to a “beach and marine threat”.
 
The easing of the tsunami warning means that residents who evacuated are now able to return home.
 
However, NEMA added that strong currents and unpredictable surges may continue for several hours so people are warned to stay away from beaches, shores and rivers for the time being.
 
According to seismologist Bill Fry, the earthquakes came “without any significant warning”. He added that in his 13 years of responding to earthquakes and tsunamis in NZ, “this is the first time we’ve had his particular sequence.”

While the tsunami warning may have been downgraded, small tsunami waves were triggered by the earthquakes and videos on social media show the surges of water.

BREAKING VIDEO: Very first waves of Tsunami rolling at Tokomaru Bay, New Zealand: WATCH:#Tsunami #earthquake #Newzealand pic.twitter.com/ENxVdJbeTu

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) March 4, 2021

NEMA has shared that the largest waves have now passed and “all people who evacuated can now return.”
 

AREAS UNDER BEACH AND MARINE THREAT:

The North Cape from AHIPARA to the BAY OF ISLANDS,

the East Coast of the North Island from CAPE RUNAWAY to TOLAGA BAY, and GREAT BARRIER ISLAND,

and the CHATHAM ISLANDS.

There is no tsunami threat in all other areas.

— National Emergency Management Agency (@NZcivildefence) March 5, 2021

Our thoughts and love are with all those who have been affected by the earthquakes!
 
Stay strong and stay safe New Zealand!