Tsunami sirens testing Thursday, October 17, on the coast

The Pacific County All Hazard Alert Broadcast (AHAB) outdoor sirens will be tested as part of the Great Washington ShakeOut on Thursday, October 17, at 10:17 a.m. with the actual tsunami siren tone (a three minute wail).

The siren tone will be preceded and followed by a verbal message. The AHAB sirens in Pacific County and the other outer Washington coastal counties are being activated to conduct a true “end-to-end” test of the entire tsunami warning system. The sirens recently installed in South Bend and Raymond will be included in this test.

This test will help familiarize residents with the sound made by the AHAB sirens during an actual tsunami warning. It will differ from the routine monthly testing that occurs on the first Monday of each month since it will broadcast an audible siren wail tone for the full three minute warning instead of a chime tone. In addition, the voice message will differ from the monthly test.

In conjunction with this event, the Pacific County Emergency Management Agency will also test the use of the emergency notification system, calling all landlines and registered cell and VoIP phones in the county. Calls are expected to take place during the afternoon and evening on October 17.

To receive emergency notifications on your cell or VoIP phone, one must register at http://www.hyper-reach.com/wapacificsignup.html.

NOAA weather radios set to receive the required monthly test will also activate during this test.

Pacific County residents are encouraged to participate in the Great Washington ShakeOut by registering at http://www.shakeout.org/washington/ and by conducting a personal drill such as Drop, Cover, and Hold or an evacuation walk.