Though Whidbey residents braced themself for a possible tsunami after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck the coast of Russia on Tuesday, the threat eventually dissipated.

Nevertheless, the Island County Department of Emergency Management warned it is important to be prepared for a disaster. The department swiftly issued updates through Facebook, Nextdoor and emergency alert texts and emails, updating the community about the level of the tsunami threat.

On Tuesday at 6:39 p.m., community members received a text message from the Island County Department of Emergency Management deputy director.

It read, “Eric Brooks: National Tsunami Warning Center has issued a Tsunami Watch. A tsunami has been confirmed, but the impacts to Island County are yet to be determined at this time. If it does im

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