Earthquake Rocks Chile; Tsunami Feared in Pacific

A powerful earthquake rocked Chile early Saturday killing at least 214 people and unleashing a tsunami which began rolling across the Pacific Ocean.

President Obama called the quake "devastating" and said the tsunami could hit American shores at Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa. Waves -- smaller than anticipated -- reached Hawaii near mid-day, but there were no immediate reports of significant damage and by early afternoon the National Weather's Service's Pacific Tsunami Center lifted the warning.

Speaking earlier in Washington, the president said tsunami warnings had been issued in the at-risk regions "and people have been alerted to evacuate coastal areas." Citizens on the West Coast should also be prepared for the possibility of "dangerous waves and currents throughout the day," he said.

Obama said "early indications are that hundreds of lives have been lost in Chile, and the damage is severe. On behalf of the American people Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the Chilean people."

The White House said Obama spoke with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Saturday afternoon and told her "the United States stands ready to assist the Chilean government's rescue and recovery efforts." Earlier, Obama led a conference call with his cabinet and White House staff to get an update on the destruction in Chile and the subsequent tsunami warning in the Pacific.

Officials in Chile reported that 214 had perished, but communications were spotty near the center of the quake at Concepcion, the nation's second largest city, southwest of Santiago. Dozens of aftershocks were reported.

"Once again, we've been reminded of the awful devastation that can come at a moment's notice," Obama said in remarks at the White House Rose Garden, "We cannot control nature, but we can and must be prepared for disaster when it strikes. In the hours ahead, we'll continue to take every step possible to prepare our shores and protect our citizens. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said, "We are closely monitoring the situation, ... Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Chile, and we stand ready to help in ths hour of need."

The U.S. Embassy in Santiago quickly set up a command center to "ensure the safety of affected American citizens," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said. Clinton said she would leave for the region on Sunday and reiterated the president's promise of American support in the recovery. "Our hemisphere comes together in times of crisis, and we will stand side by side with the people of Chile in this emergency," she said in a statement. The State Department said it was ready to help "as rapidly and effectively as we can." The U.S. government activated a disaster response team and alerted two search and rescue teams, the Washington Post said.

Chile's President Bachelet declared a catastrophe in central Chile after the magnitude-8.8 quake, the Associated Press reported. The news agency quoted Bachelet as saying a huge wave swept into a populated area in the Robinson Crusoe Islands, 410 miles off the Chilean coast in the Pacific Ocean. Property damage was widespread, and Bachelet called for calm.

In Washington, a Department of Homeland Security official said FEMA was monitoring the quake and staying in touch with emergency workers in Hawaii where a tsunami warning was issued, the New York Times reported. Sirens wailed overnight and at daybreak alerting residents to check radio and television reports for guidance.

The AP said tsunami waves could crash on Asian, Australian and New Zealand shores within 24 hours of the quake.

Jenifer Rhoades, a spokeswoman for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), told CNN,"it is a serious situation. People in these areas need to move to higher ground and away from beaches."

An tsumani "advisory" -- a less severe notice than a warning -- was issued for the West Coast of the United States, meaning people should stay away from beaches, NOAA said.