|
|
| Information on an Important Tsunami Warning Test |
|---|
OFFICIALS TO CONDUCT TEST OF THE ALASKA TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service and Alaska's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, in cooperation with local emergency management offices and the Alaska Broadcasters Association, will conduct a tsunami warning communications test on March 26 at approximately 9:45 a.m. Alaska Standard Time. People listening to radio or television broadcasts should hear the test if the system is working properly.
Through a proclamation signed by Governor Palin, March 23 through March 29, 2006 has been declared as Tsunami Awareness Week. The week coincides with the anniversary of the Great Alaskan Earthquake...a devastating 9.2 magnitude earthquake that triggered deadly tsunamis in Alaska 42 years ago on Good Friday. The focal point for this awareness week is the test of the Alaska Tsunami Warning System.
The communications test will involve NOAA Weather Radio, the Emergency Alert System (EAS), and other state and local communication links. The radio and television audience should hear the familiar alerting tone followed by an audio message describing the test, similar to the routine monthly tests of the EAS. Television viewers should also see the familiar crawler announcing that a test is being conducted.
The public can participate in the test by monitoring their NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards receiver, or commercial radio, cable TV, or local television for the EAS message. Local emergency management may use the test to help raise awareness of the tsunami hazard.
Officials will evaluate the success of the test and correct any problems that are uncovered. To assist them in this process, they are asking people in coastal areas to monitor their normal media sources for the test, and report afterwards via an Internet web address given in the test message. Most importantly, people monitoring the test in coastal areas who DO NOT receive the test through commercial radio or weather radio should inform their local NWS office.
Note: If there is excessive seismic activity on the day the test is scheduled, the test will be canceled.
Click here for answers to frequently asked tsunami-related questions.
|
|
|
www.weather.gov
