Cedar Rapids native rides out tsunami in Hawaii

Cedar Rapids native Walter H. Furman II, who lives on Hawaii's Big Island, set out to sea to ride out the tsunami on a friend's boat.

Via Facebook postings, he explained it's safer to get the boats out of the harbors and into open waters, where the waves will go under them.

At 2:30 a.m. Iowa time, he wrote: “The Tsunami warning sirens just went off. It is very creepy.” Immediately after, he added: “Sirens still screaming and my cell will not work. Going to gas station to fill up with gas.”

An hour later, he reported feeling an earthquake, so he was heading out to sea.

At 5:30 a.m., he wrote: “Beautiful night sky from the harbor. Heading out in a few minutes. Wave expected at 3:30 a.m. Friday morning. The entire coast is evacuating.”

Furman is well-known to Eastern Iowa artists and audiences for his many performances in Follies and Theatre Cedar Rapids musicals.