Tsunami Warning System Testing – Wednesday 27th at 9:45am

by Dan Nelson, Citizen Corps Program Coordinator, KPB IC-III Planning Section Chief

OFFICIALS TO CONDUCT TEST OF THE ALASKA TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM

NOAA’s 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 test of the tsunami warning communications system on Wednesday, March 27 at 9:45 a.m.

The test is part of Tsunami Preparedness Week, proclaimed by Gov. Sean Parnell as March 24 to 30. The week coincides with the anniversary of the Good Friday Earthquake – a devastating 9.2 magnitude earthquake that triggered deadly tsunamis in Alaska on Good Friday, March 27, 1964.

The communications test will involve NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, the emergency alert system and other state and local communication links. Radio listeners should hear the familiar alerting tone followed by an audio message describing the test, similar to the routine monthly tests of the emergency alert system. Residents of some communities may hear sirens, and the siren audio may not contain the word “TEST.”

It is important to note that some television systems are programmed to scroll a standard message based upon the emergency code received. In some cases, the message may not contain the word ‘TEST’. An audio message will say that it is a test, but if the volume is turned down or otherwise unheard, viewers may not realize the warning is a test.

The general public can participate in the test by monitoring NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, commercial radio, cable TV or local television for the emergency alert system message. Local emergency management may use the test to help increase preparedness for the tsunami hazard. If there is excessive seismic activity on March 27, the test will be canceled.

The public can provide feedback online at http://ready.alaska.gov/survey. People monitoring the test in coastal areas who do not receive the test through commercial or weather radio should inform their local National Weather Service office.

Click here for answers to frequently asked tsunami-related questions.

Tags: Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Dan Nelson, KPB, NOAA National Weather Service, Tsunami Preparedness Week, Tsunami Warning System

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