Coastal Tsunami Warning System Test

Camp Murray, Wash. – Washington’s coastal tsunami warning system will be tested at noon Monday, April 6 in Pacific, Grays Harbor, Jefferson and Clallam counties, not inlcuding Whatcom County this time.  The test of the 32 coastal warning loudspeakers will be jointly conducted by the Washington Emergency Management Division (WEMD), four coastal Native American tribes and the four counties. 

The state’s Alert and Warning Center at Camp Murray will initiate the test which will feature the playing of chimes.“We will use the April 6 test to begin a testing schedule of the coastal tsunami warning system on the first Monday of every month,” said John Schelling, WEMD earthquake and tsunami program manager.  “Local jurisdictions will start the test on odd-numbered months, and the state will initiate the test on even-numbered months.” 

    “Washington’s tsunami warning system is one of the nation’s most advanced and will warn persons who are outdoors along the coast.  State and federal agencies approved and funded the system’s construction in the aftermath of the deadly 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami,” Schelling said. 

For additional information about earthquakes and tsunamis, contact John Schelling, WEMD earthquake and tsunami program manager, at (253) 512-7084, or Tim Walsh, chief hazards geologist, at the Department of Natural Resources, at 360-902-1432.  Earthquake and tsunami Information also is available at the EMD website www.emd.wa.gov

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