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Tuesday, March 22, 2011  In light of the recent horrific events in Japan and accompanying warnings for Hawaii, Alaska and the west coast of the United States, I think it’s safe to say we’re now all a little more aware of tsunamis.

Monday, March 22, 2010  As part of tsunami awareness week, NOAA’s National Weather Service will host open houses at its tsunami warning centers in Alaska and Hawaii, and many coastal states will host community tsunami awareness activities.  California will launch a statewide tsunami awareness campaign including a new classroom lesson plan, two municipalities in Puerto Rico will complete requirements to become National Weather Service-designated TsunamiReady™ communities and Hawaii’s Lt. Governor, Duke Aiona, will host a tsunami awareness event at a school within a tsunami inundation zone on Oahu.   Warning Signs of a Tsunami A strong earthquake, or one that persists for 20 seconds or longer The ocean withdraws, exposing the sea floor A loud, roaring sound (like an airplane or a train) coming from the ocean Tsunami warnings broadcast over television and radio, by beach lifeguards, community sirens, text message alerts, National Weather Service tsunami warning center Web sites and on NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards   What You Should Do if You See These Signs Remain calm Move inland to higher ground Continue to monitor media sources for information Stay away from the beach until officials issue an “all clear" — Remember that a tsunami may be a series of waves over a period of several hours