North Carolina Amateurs Get Tsunami Information
Amateur radio operators were invited to the National Weather Service class In Wilmington N.C. in early March got a quick course on the causes and effects of tsunami, underscoring the critical value of preparedness and emergency communications when the alert is sounded. Brian S. Yunagi, from the International Tsunami information Center in Honolulu, led the session along with Cyndi Preller, Geologist/Education and outreach coordinator from the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center.
Mr Yanagi “had high praise for the work of Amateur radio operators in all areas of emergency communications” According to Glenn Cox KE4BMY, an Assistant Emergency Coordinator with Skywarn. Participants were advised when a tsunami is forecasted to “be sure to run at least 100 meters inland and get at least five meters above ground, “this is a rule of thumb". In short get away from the beach and get to higher ground. Tsunamis can be more forceful than a hurricane. Sometimes the waves can travel as fast as a jet plane, depending on the initial force that starts them.
Those in attendance were cautioned by Mr. Yanagi that even if the phone system were working it could be overwhelmed by the high call volume that would occur and Amateur radio (could be)the only way to get messages out of the tsunami of the tsunami affected areas quickly.
This was one of two classes the National Weather Service Forecast office has invited (area) Amateurs to attend, the first was a class on rip currents. I hope for more classes as the Amateur radio community will definitely attend. Also in attendance were Tim Waters KE4EDU, Bob Feterman, N1OTL, Steve Pfaff Warning Coordinator Meteorologist, Jim Grant, KA4IGL, of the South Carolina Emergency Management team, Ric Tharrington, KD4JRX, EC Skywarn, Stephen Russ, NI4SR, EC ARES, and James Jernigan KJ4WNC, AEC ARES
Glenn M. Cox KE4BMYAEC Skywarn