Pacific County NOAA Weather Radios WILL BE ACTIVATED in Washington Counties During ShakeOut Drill

 NOAA weather radios WILL BE ACTIVATED in Washington's Pacific, Grays Harbor, and Clallam Counties only as part of the Great Washington ShakeOut earthquake drill and tsunami siren test. County residents are asked to provide feedback on the test at www.shakeout.org/washington. 

The Pacific County All Hazard Alert Broadcast (AHAB) outdoor sirens will activate on Thursday, October 18, 2012, at 10:18 a.m. with the actual tsunami siren tone (a three minute wail), followed by a verbal message.  The AHAB sirens in Pacific County and the other outer Washington coastal counties are being activated to conduct a true “end-to-end” test of the entire tsunami warning system.

This test will help familiarize residents with the sound made by the AHAB sirens during an actual tsunami warning.  It will differ from the routine monthly testing that occurs on the first Monday of each month since it will broadcast an audible siren wail tone for the full 3 minute warning instead of a chime tone.  The voice message will differ slightly from the monthly test, and will include the following:  “This is a test of the AHAB system.  If you are in a low coastal area test your evacuation route now.  If this had been a real emergency, you should follow evacuation routes.  Move to higher ground or inland now.  Do not delay. Do not return until directed to do so. Tune Into your local radio stations for further instructions.  This was only a test.”

Pacific County residents are encouraged to participate in the Great Washington ShakeOut by registering at www.shakeout.org/washington and by conducting a personal drill such as Drop, Cover, and Hold or an evacuation walk.