Tsunami evacuation is now underway in Hawaii, Guam, and American Samoa from the aftermath of the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Chile this weekend, where experts have updated their death toll to 147 people. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for the entire Pacific region, but excluded the west coast of North America. It has since included the coast from California to Alaska to be under a tsunami advisory, a lesser grade of warning.

U.S. President Barack Obama warned residents of the West coast to be prepared for "dangerous waves and currents." 

"Once again, we've been reminded of the awful devastation that can come at a moment's notice," the president said. "We can't control nature, but we can and must be prepared for disaster when it strikes."

At least 33 aftershocks have occurred since the original tremblor, including one 6.3 magnitude quake in Argentina.  The initial 8.8 magnitude quake in Chile is 700 to 800 times stronger than the January 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti. For more current information, please go to the National Weather Service website.