By Sommer Brokaw & Don Jacobson
Jan. 15 (UPI) — A 4-foot tsunami hit the Pacific nation of Tonga on Saturday and prompted advisories along the west coasts of the United States and Canada after an underwater volcano exploded.
Other nearby islands and coastal areas of New Zealand also were put under tsunami alerts after waves crashed into Tonga’s largest island, flooding coastal roads, CNN affiliate Radio New Zealand reported.
Floodwaters inundated sections of the capital, Nuku’alofa, including the main street, waterfront properties and the palace grounds of Tonga’s King Topou VI, who was evacuated.
A convoy of police and and troops rushed the king to a villa at Mata Ki Eua and residents fled to higher ground as ash spewed over the capital, RNZ reported, citing local media…
