Alaska News

Officials to Test Tsunami Warning System in Alaska

Officials to Test Tsunami Warning System in Alaska

Emergency Alert Activation Part of Tsunami Preparedness Week

NOAA and its emergency management partners plan to conduct a test of the tsunami warning communications system on Wednesday, March 27 at 9:45 a.m. Alaska Daylight Time.

The emergency test will be broadcast on NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, local television and radio stations, and residents in some communities may hear warning sirens. To avoid any confusion with an actual alert the test will be canceled if there is excessive seismic activity 24 hours prior to the test.

Many television systems are programmed to scroll a standard emergency alert text message and in some cases, the message may not contain the word "TEST." An audio message will say that the message is only a test, but if the volume is turned down or otherwise unheard, viewers may not realize the message is a test. In addition, siren audio may not contain the word "TEST."

Officials are asking coastal Alaskans to provide feedback online athttp://ready.alaska.gov/survey.

The test is part of Tsunami Preparedness Week, proclaimed by Gov. Sean Parnell as March 24 to 30, and is a cooperative effort of NOAA's National Weather Service, Alaska's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Alaska Broadcasters Association, and local emergency management officials.

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During Tsunami Preparedness Week, emergency managers urge coastal residents to review information on what to do in the event of a tsunami. NOAA's West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center Web site offers complete information, including the current status of tsunami watches, warnings and advisories. A list of frequently asked tsunami questions and answers as well as tsunami safety rules can be found on the Center's site under "Education."

NOAA's mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join NOAA's National Weather Service in Alaska on social media channels.

On the Web:

NOAA's West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center: http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov

NOAA's National Weather Service Alaska Region: http://www.arh.noaa.gov

NOAA's NWS Alaska Social Media: http://www.arh.noaa.gov/socialmedia

Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management:

http://www.ready.alaska.gov

NOAA press release

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