There has been little contact with Tonga since an underwater volcano erupted early yesterday evening, causing tidal waves to crash onto the islands and ash spewing into the air.

A tsunami hit the Kingdom after the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano erupted for eight minutes, throwing clouds of ash into the sky. Waves flooded the capital, Nuku'alofa, where video footage showed water engulfing buildings.

The waves from the Tsunami made it all the way to the coast of Santa Cruz, California. A whopping 5,300 miles away, the coastal town of Santa Cruz felt the effects of the underwater volcanic eruption as waves crashed upon the shores. Residents experienced heavy flooding and damage to property as floodwaters surged through the town.