Navigating Tsunami Warnings: Expectations and Realities

Remember that tsunami on Thursday…that didn’t happen? After a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck 45 miles southwest of Eureka, a tsunami warning went into effect along the Northern California and Southern Oregon coastline. But why did it take so long for us to find out we weren’t at risk? Why did some places, like Berkeley, order evacuations, and other cities were silent? We’ll look at the region’s emergency communication systems and what needs to be improved to better prepare for tsunamis and other natural disasters.

Guests:

Dan Brekke, editor and reporter, KQED News

Lori Dengler, professor emeritus, Cal Poly Humboldt - department of geology

Dave Snider, tsunami warning coordinator, National Tsunami Warning Center in Alaska, run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Brian Garcia , Warning Coordination Meteorologist, National Weather Service SF Bay Area/Monterey

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