Massive earthquake strikes Japan, tsunami warning.

On the heels of a massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Japan, a tsunami warning has been issued for the western coastal areas of the United States and Canada – and at least 20 other countries and Pacific islands – for today.

The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center early Friday issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas along the United States and Canadian west coasts. The tsunami warning includes coastal areas of California and Oregon from Point Conception to the Oregon-Washington border. It also includes coastal areas of Alaska from Amchitka Pass to Attu.

List of countries under tsunami warning today

Sirens sounded in Hawaii around 10 p.m. Thursday (3 a.m. ET), warning residents they could expect tsunami waves five hours later. Waves are expected to hit Hawaii around 3 a.m. Friday local time.

People along coastal areas are urged to evacuate, emergency officials warned.

Tsunami warnings were issued Friday for at least 20 countries and numerous Pacific islands, including Japan, coastal Russia and the Marcus Islands, the Northern Marianas, Wake Island, Taiwan and Guam.