The Maui Emergency Management Agency lifted evacuation orders shortly after 11 p.m. Tuesday, giving residents who had evacuated low-lying areas for a tsunami warning a chance to return to their homes.

No major damage or injuries associated with the tsunami were reported.

The National Weather Service downgraded the tsunami warning to an advisory at 10:38 p.m., and the Maui Emergency Management Agency lifted evacuations shortly after that.

An advisory means that strong currents and waves are possible and can be dangerous to those in or very near water, according to NWS. There may be flooding of beach and harbor areas. People should stay out of the water and away from beaches and waterways.

According to county officials, thousands of people sought refuge at five shelters that opened for evacuees.

All of the shelters — Molokai High School, Kihei Community Center, Velma McWayne Santos Center, Lahainaluna High School, Hana High School, Hannibal Tavares Pukalani Community Center and the Social Hall at Lahaina Civic Center — closed Tuesday night.

Given the large volume of traffic returning to the roads, Maui police asked that drivers use caution as they left the shelters.

Once the tsunami was downgraded, the Maui County Department of Water Supply began reopening valves that were closed to prevent potential damage. For more information, contact DWS at water.supply@mauicounty.gov or (808) 270-7633.

The Maui County Department of Environmental Management also began restoring several wastewater pump stations and facilities in Lahaina, Kihei and Central Maui that were previously shut down to prevent damage amid the tsunami warning. For information, call the Wastewater Division at (808) 270-7417.

Parks and recreation facilities in shoreline areas will remain closed Wednesday until county staff can conduct condition assessments and confirm safety.

Also, many Maui bus routes will start at least an hour later than normal operations on Wednesday due to the additional time required to refuel vehicles and ensure roads are safe to travel.

MAUI BUS FIXED ROUTE SERVICE

(Start times for each route are listed below)

Kahului Transit Center Start Times