Politics & Government
La Jolla Is Tsunami-Ready
National Tsunami Awareness Week will have some cities practicing walk-out drills this week.
Written by Penny Arevalo
It's National Tsunami Awareness Week, a time when the government and police agencies remind the communities to take measures to prepare for a tsunami.
The National Weather Service has certified 165 sites as "Tsunami Ready," including Imperial Beach, Coronado and San Diego.
The state of California and Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES) will be taking an active role in promoting public education and awareness about tsunami preparedness.
March 27 is the 50th Anniversary of the Alaska earthquake and tsunami, which caused 139 deaths. To bring awareness to the danger posed by tsunami’s the state of California is encouraging all affected municipalities to participate in a “Tsunami WalkOut.”
“Tsunami WalkOut” is a phrase meant to represent a tsunami evacuation drill; similar to the term “ShakeOut” for the earthquake preparedness campaign. This is a state-wide initiative as part of a tsunami preparedness drill.
To be considered a Tsunami-ready community, the government requires a variety of criteria be met. They are:
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- Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center
- Have more than one way to receive tsunami warnings and alert the public
- Promote public readiness through community education and distribution of information
- Develop a formal tsunami plan, which includes holding emergency exercises
- Comply with TsunamiReady guidelines
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