Good Morning Britain issues urgent breaking news alert as tsunami set to hit Hawaii

Good Morning Britain's Kate Garraway brought the programme to an abrupt standstill as she delivered urgent breaking news.

During Wednesday's (July 30) episode of the ITV morning show, Kate, 58, returned to our screens alongside co-presenter Ed Balls as they covered some of the day's major stories.

However, within moments, the broadcast took an unexpected twist as Kate disclosed that a tsunami was expected to strike Hawaii following one of the most devastating earthquakes in recorded history.

READ MORE: Emmerdale fans 'rumble' Mary's new love interest - and it could get messy

READ MORE: Woman dies in Japan tsunami evacuation as car plunges off cliff after earthquake

Residents along the coastline have been moved to higher ground.

Emergency alerts have also been issued along the western seaboard of mainland America, reports Devon Live.

Russia's eastern coast and sections of Japan have already been struck by the tidal surge, and 1.9 million people, including staff at the Fukushima nuclear facility, have been ordered to evacuate. Specialists warn that tsunami waves could persist for more than a day.

Addressing viewers at home, Kate declared, "Good Morning, Britain. Breaking news this morning: a huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake strikes the east coast of Russia, plunging the US and Japan into a tsunami watch.

"It is the sixth strongest earthquake ever measured, and in Hawaii, people are evacuating from coastal areas as the island braces for impact."

The camera then switched to the monitor as Kate elaborated: "Now these are live pictures of it looking calm at the moment, although reports have seen the water. We will bring you the latest throughout the morning."

Providing viewers with a further update, Kate continued: "The earthquake struck Russia's southeast coastline just after midnight and tsunami alerts have since been issued across the Pacific."

Ed interjected and disclosed: "In Japan last night, two million people were ordered to evacuate."

Warnings on the island have urged locals to seek refuge on the fourth floor or higher, in any building with ten floors or more.

Hawaii's governor, Josh Green, said the island had yet to witness a "wave of consequence."

"We still have not seen any wave activity come past the Big Island. That's important. Until we see what happens on the Big Island, we won't feel we're in a position to start saying that we're in the clear," he said.

He added: "God willing, these waves will not hurt us, but you have to assume, assume, they will be life-threatening."