First east coast US city declared TsunamiReady

NOAA, the federal agency responsible for tsunami and all severe weather warnings, has officially recognized the City of Norfolk as the latest of 26 TsunamiReady communities along US coasts. Norfolk is the first east coast city to gain the accolade. Norfolk also was recognized as StormReady, becoming one of nearly 1,000 communities across the country with a proactive approach to warning and educating the public about tornadoes, flooding and other severe weather.

“City officials and emergency managers have worked hard to establish a 24-hour system to receive NOAA warnings and inform Norfolk residents about what actions to take if a tsunami or severe weather is headed their way. I'm particularly proud to honor the City of Norfolk as the first major East Coast city to become TsunamiReady," said vice admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. "NOAA has expanded its tsunami detection and warning capability since the Indian Ocean tsunami, and community preparedness programs like TsunamiReady are key components of this effort. Ultimately it is the public's ability to react to such warnings that completes the chain in an effective tsunami warning process. TsunamiReady helps accomplish this."

"Coastal communities like Norfolk contain 53 percent of the nation's population. Protecting our growing population along the coastline from the ravages of natural disasters is a major concern… All coastal communities in the United States are at some risk for a tsunami," said Congressman Robert. C. Scott.

To be recognized as TsunamiReady a community must:

* Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center;

* Have multiple ways to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts and to alert the public;

* Create a system that monitors weather conditions locally;

* Promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars;

* Develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.

•Date: 31st Jan 2006• Region: US • Type: Article •Topic: Emergency planning
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