Tsunami Warnings and Preparedness for Long Beach, WA USA

NWS: Tsunami Warning Latest Tsunami Event - Map West Coast & Alaska Tsunami Warning Center

What Is A Tsunami?

Tsunami (soo-NAH-mee): a Japanese word that means harbor wave; a sea wave of local or distant origin that results from large-scale seafloor displacements associated with large earthquakes, major submarine slides, or exploding volcanic islands. Typically generated by seismic or volcanic activity or by underwater landslides, a tsunami consists of a series of high-energy waves that radiate outward like pond ripples from the area in which the generating event occurred.

Not all earthquakes produce tsunamis. To generate a tsunami, an earthquake must occur underneath or near the ocean, be very large (approximately Richter magnitude 7 or greater), and create vertical movement of the sea floor. However, recent studies regarding the potential for a great Cascadia Subduction zone earthquake off the Washington, Oregon, and Northern California coastlines indicate the local tsunami waves may reach nearby coastal communities within minutes of the earthquake thereby giving little or no time to issue warnings.

Seaview WA, Tsunami Siren Test AHAB on Sept 21, 2011 by Nansen Pihlaja Malin:

See also ... Ocean Park WA, Tsunami Siren Test AHAB on Sept 21, 2011 by Jackie Sheldon

How will I know if a Tsunami is coming?

• The West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center (WC/ATWC) is responsible for tsunami warnings for California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska.
• The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) provides warnings to international authorities, Hawaii, and U.S. Territories within the Pacific Basin.
• The Pacific County Emergency Management Agency - PCEMA provides warnings to beach communities in Pacific County.
  Pacific County Emergency Management (PCEMA) blog
  Pacific County Emergency Management (PCEMA) website
  Twitter: @tsunamisteph Pacific Co, WA 911 & Emergency Mgmt Director Stephanie Fritts
  Twitter: @PCEOCNews Pacific County EOC
  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PCEMA

• Information:  A message with information about an earthquake that is not expected to generate a tsunami.
  Action to take: For information only, no tsunami generated.
• Advisory:  An earthquake has occurred in the Pacific Basin, which might generate a tsunami.
  Action to take: Potential danger. Be prepared to take action. Be alert, listen to your weather radio or local emergency authorities.
• Watch:  A tsunami was or may have been generated, but is at least two hours travel time to the area in Watch status.
  Action to take: Possible strong and dangerous currents. Be alert, listen to your weather radio or local emergency authorities.
• Warning:  A tsunami was, or may have been generated, which could cause damage; therefore, people in the warned area are strongly advised to evacuate.
  Action to take: Danger! Run to higher ground. Follow emergency instructions. If you felt the ground shake, there could be little time to get to high ground.

If you're near a coastal beach, here are ways to know a tsunami may be imminent and you need to seek higher ground:

• A warning siren may sound.
• Seawater may recede quickly.
• The ground may shake, indicating an earthquake has occurred.
• Your NOAA Tone Alert radio issues a warning that a tsunami may be headed to your area.
• Sign up for free Email and Text Mesage Tsunami Alerts from the West Coast Tsunami Warning Center

Tsunami Evacuation Maps

During a distant source tsunami event, Pacific County Emergency Management officials may recommend that residents evacuate by one or more of several methods. The Pacific County Emergency Notification Network is a telephonic warning system that will dial county residents through the public switched telephone network. A recorded message will provide residents the information pertinent to the event. In addition, a message will be broadcast over NOAA weather radio. Pacific County fire departments and districts will also be dispatched to broadcast a message via truck mounted PA systems when time allows.

View Pacific County Tsunami evacuation maps by clicking below:

• Bay Center
• Long Beach & Ilwaco
• North Cove and Tokeland
• Ocean Park
• Raymond - South Bend

Tsunami Preparedness

Live on the Coast? Is your community TsunamiRead? Visit the TsunamiReady site!