Tsunami Awareness Week

When Seconds Count, TsunamiReady™  Communities are Prepared

Tsunami Awareness Week, March 21-27

Just about a month ago, we were reporting in our article, Powerful Quake Hits Chile Tsunami Alert, that following the devastating earthquake in Chile, there was eminent danger, across the globe, of a Tsunami that formed in the wake of that quake.  Less than six months ago another tsunami hit American Samoa.  Unfortunately both events resulted in loss of life and property.

The National Weather Service and the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program have created a TsunamiReady™ website and launched an awareness program.  To kick off this new initiative, the NWS announced the first ever Tsunami Awareness Week which is currently in progress.

As part of tsunami awareness week, NOAA’s National Weather Service will host open houses at its tsunami warning centers in Alaska and Hawaii, and many coastal states will host community tsunami awareness activities.

The National Weather Service operates a tsunami warning system for the United States, U.S. territories and western Canada through two tsunami warning centers, in Palmer, Alaska, and Ewa Beach, Hawaii. The centers, staffed 24/7, issue tsunami warning, advisory, watch and information messages as early as five to fifteen minutes after an earthquake. Upon receipt of tsunami messages, state and local emergency management agencies determine the appropriate response including whether or not to evacuate people from the warned area.   (Read complete Press Release)   Tsunami Awareness Week Information

Click on the Weather   tab above for more information about the following topics:   Hurricanes, Typhoons, Tsunamis, Tides & Currents.  When breaking weather news occurs, the links provided there can be used to obtain up to the minute information.  

Warning Signs of a Tsunami

• A strong earthquake, or one that persists for 20 seconds or longer
• The ocean withdraws, exposing the sea floor
• A loud, roaring sound (like an airplane or a train) coming from the ocean
• Tsunami warnings broadcast over television and radio, by beach lifeguards, community sirens, text message alerts, National Weather Service tsunami warning center Web sites and on NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards

What You Should Do if You See These Signs

• Remain calm
• Move inland to higher ground
• Continue to monitor media sources for information
• Stay away from the beach until officials issue an “all clear" — Remember that a tsunami may be a series of waves over a period of several hours

We encourage you to learn more about Tsunamis and their dangers, especially if you live or visit coastal areas where the danger could exist.   See if your community is TsunamiReady™.