April is Tsunami Awareness Month in Hawaiʻi and the County of Kauaʻi has plans to promote public awareness and preparedness.
Hawai‘i observes Tsunami Awareness Month in April to remember the April 1, 1946 tsunami that was generated by a large earthquake in the Aleutian Islands. With no tsunami warning system then, the tsunami arrived unexpectedly, resulting in 159 fatalities in Hawaiʻi.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center was founded 3 years later, and it currently serves as one of two regional warning centers for the United States, while also providing tsunami notifications and warning to more than 25 other countries.
“A tsunami can occur suddenly, often with little to no warning, which is why staying informed and taking the proper precautions is so important for everyone’s safety,” said Elton Ushio, administrator with Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency. “I encourage all residents to know Kaua‘i’s tsunami evacuation zones, especially in relation to where they live, work, and spend their time.
“It’s also important to identify the quickest route, or alternate routes, to higher ground ahead of time. Review the evacuation zone maps and make a plan now so you are prepared if an evacuation becomes necessary,” he added.
A banner with information regarding historical tsunami wave run-up heights will be on display in the Mo‘ikeha building as well as the Kapule building during the month of April.
Maps of tsunami evacuation zones and preparedness information can be found on the county website.
The Hawai‘i State Department of Education, Safety, Security and Emergency Preparedness Branch produced a video, which provides a brief introduction of how a tsunami is generated, different types of tsunamis, signs of a local tsunami, the tsunami warning system, and how to plan for and respond to a tsunami threat.
To sign up for the Wireless Emergency Notification System, the county’s emergency notification service, go to the county’s website, or call the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency at 808-241-1800.
