Tsunami watches are issued for large portions of the Western U.S. coast

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins has issued a message this morning after a magnitude 8.8 earthquake rocked the Bering Sea, raising concerns for farmers and ranchers along the Western U.S. seaboard.

The earthquake struck around 300 miles East of Russia’s coastline last night, around 6:30 PM Eastern. NOAA has been tracking the aftermath, issuing tsunami watches and warnings for Hawaii and Alaska, as well as trading partners like Japan.

Secretary Rollins says USDA is closely watching the developments, making sure all USDA employees and partners are safe. She is urging prayers for all those impacted.

RFD-TV Meteorologist Kirk Harnack gives the latest news for farmers and ranchers along the coast, as well as what he has heard from colleagues.

Related Stories
“We could see oppressive heat index values for a few days.”
Geomagnetic storms have been occurring with increased frequency in space this year, with significant consequences for agriculture.
Congress is seeking insight from meteorologists and weather researchers on how new technology can enhance safety and response times to severe weather and prevent future disasters.
The network includes labs across the country that track diseases like New World Screwworm, which could see a rise in cases with hurricane season approaching.