Cal EMA: State Operation Center activated in Response to Chilean Tsunami

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Cal EMA: State Operation Center activated in Response to Chilean Tsunami

Cal EMA Activates State Operation Center in Response to Chilean Tsunami

MATHER – The California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) has activated the State Operations Center (SOC) and its Coastal and Southern Regional Emergency Operations Centers (REOC) in response to the Tsunami Advisory for the immediate coast California following the 8.8 earthquake that occurred off the coast of Chile.
“It’s important that we’re closely coordinating with coastal communities and state agencies here in California to ensure they have the information they need to warn the public and prepare for any effects of this tsunami,” said Secretary Matthew Bettenhausen. “We’re also in close contact with federal agencies to ensure California stands ready to provide assistance to Chile after this powerful and devastating earthquake. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones in this disaster.”
Along California’s coastline, significant, widespread inundation is not expected for areas under an advisory. Currents may be hazardous to swimmers, boats, and coastal structures and may continue for several hours after the initial wave arrival.
A “Tsunami Advisory” means that a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near the water is imminent or expected – as opposed to a more serious “Tsunami Warning,” which is issued as a means of providing an advance alert to areas that could be severely impacted by destructive tsunami waves.
Cal EMA emergency managers are working closing with local, state and federal partners to monitor the tsunami activity and to coordinate resources should response assistance be requested.
California Emergency Management Agency Actions

The California State Operations Center (SOC) was opened in Sacramento at 11:00 am
The Southern Emergency Operations Center in Los Alamitos and the Coastal Emergency Operations Center in Oakland are also open to coordinate with coastal counties and emergency management officials
Cal EMA is working with California State Parks and other related agencies to ensure public notifications are being made in state parks. Some parks have temporarily closed.
Cal EMA is participating in conference calls with the West Coast Alaska Tsunami Warning Center (WCATWC) periodically during this event
The California State Warning Center continues to monitor the situation and has made all required notifications to state and local public safety agencies
Cal EMA is working with Federal Emergency Management Agency Region IX to be ready for any international calls for assistance

Source: CAL EMA News release: Link
For more information about this incident, please visit www.calema.ca.gov

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Saturday, February 27, 2010