Great quake, tsunami drill is Thursday

On Thursday October 17, 2013 between 10:15 A.M. and 10:20 A.M. PDT, the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) and the NWS Weather Forecast Office in Seattle will conduct a tsunami warning communications test. This test is in support of the Great Washington ShakeOut drill with state and local emergency management officials, part of a global earthquake preparedness effort.

Millions of people worldwide will practice how to drop, cover, and hold on at about 10:17 a.m. PDT on October 17 during the Great Shakeout Earthquake Drills.

Washingtonians can join them by registering for the 2013 Great Washington ShakeOut. Participation is a great way for your family or organization to be better prepared to survive and recover quickly from big earthquakes. Pre-register at www.shakeout.org/washington/

In coastal areas, the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill will also include the tsunami warning communications test. The test purpose is to evaluate communications for use in dissemination of tsunami warnings, watches, and advisories.

National Weather Service offices around the state will disseminate a Required Monthly Test (RMT) message via NOAA Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System (EAS) to help kickoff the Great ShakeOut drill. Broadcasters will carry the EAS message to help reach much of the state’s citizens along with those who have all-hazard weather radio receivers.

In coastal areas, the EAS message will also include special information about the tsunami communications test. Local officials in the outer coastal areas of Pacific, Grays Harbor, Jefferson. and Clallam Counties will also test the All-Hazard Alert Broadcast or AHAB outdoor siren systems. A follow up service evaluation will be conducted as well.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact:

Ted Buehner
Warning Coordination Meteorologist
Phone: 206-526-6095
Email: ted.buehner@noaa.gov