After what’s already been a nerve-wracking year for California residents, another major natural disaster alert has landed at the doorstep of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Their $14 million Montecito mansion—once threatened by wildfires—is now sitting within a tsunami advisory zone following a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake that hit near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula.
Tsunami Waves Reach U.S. Shores Following Massive Earthquake
The earthquake struck late last night off the coast of Russia, sending tsunami waves rolling toward the Pacific coasts of the United States.
By this morning, the waves had already reached parts of California and Hawaii.
Emergency services quickly issued tsunami advisories for areas including Alaska, Oregon, Washington, and yes—Santa Barbara County, where Montecito is located.
Montecito residents were warned to stay off beaches and out of the ocean, as the danger could persist for hours.
The alert caused widespread concern, especially in areas still reeling from previous disasters.
Panic in Hawaii as Residents Rush Inland
Overnight, residents in Hawaii scrambled to evacuate.
Sirens wailed across the islands, particularly in Oahu, triggering long traffic jams as families packed essentials and moved inland.
Authorities stressed the urgency, warning that waves could arrive in hours and advising people to seek higher ground.
A Déjà Vu Moment for the Sussexes
This isn’t the first time Prince Harry and Meghan’s peaceful Montecito retreat has been caught in nature’s crosshairs.
Back in January, their home came close to evacuation during intense California wildfires.
With strong Santa Ana “Devil Winds” driving flames dangerously close, Montecito was placed under a red flag warning, and residents were told to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
Now, just months later, the couple and their two young children—Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4—are once again facing potential evacuation from their luxury estate.
Social Media Reacts with Panic and… Surfboards?
While many along the West Coast took the tsunami threat seriously, others reacted in dramatically different ways.
TikTok lit up with videos from both terrified and strangely nonchalant users.
One woman, Shelbykblackburn, shared her anxiety as sirens wailed behind her. “I’m shaking,” she said in a now-viral clip. “This just got really scary.”
Another user, Holistic Alexandra, fought back tears as she documented warnings about a direct hit near Hanalei, Kauai.
But in contrast, others seemed to treat the event more like a spectacle.
Tsunami Watch Parties and Risky Adventures
Yes, you read that right—people gathered for “tsunami watch parties,” bringing snacks and watching the ocean as if they were waiting for fireworks instead of a potential disaster.
One TikToker even stayed in the water to film rising waves, saying, “You can look it up. It’s super legit. I pray it doesn’t happen. Oh my God.”
Meanwhile, an adrenaline-seeking man named Go_BigorGo_HomeTyler posted a video smiling on a boat, saying he was literally heading toward the tsunami to surf the wave.
“I always joked about it,” he said. “Now the law of attraction. It’s real.”
Authorities Urge Caution Despite Casual Attitudes
As videos of surfing and sea-faring adventures continue circulating online, officials are pleading with residents to take the threat seriously.
Coastal communities are still at risk, and authorities warn that tsunami waves can arrive in multiple surges and last for hours.
The scene has drawn parallels to the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which struck without warning and killed more than 230,000 people across 14 countries.
A Reminder of Nature’s Unpredictable Power
While the earthquake happened thousands of miles away, the ripple effects reached all the way to American shores—both literally and emotionally.
For the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, it’s another chapter in their California life marked by unpredictable natural threats.
As of now, Harry, Meghan, and their children remain safe in Montecito, but they, like thousands of others on the West Coast, will be watching the coastline anxiously over the coming hours.
