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WCATWC: West Coast and Alaska tsunami warning center Posted: 01 Apr 2009 12:01 AM PDT NOAA and the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program are conducting the first multi-state tsunami exercise for the U.S./Canadian Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands coasts on April 2, 2009. The exercise is intended to provide a framework for emergency management agencies to test and review tsunami response plans. The Participant Handbook can be downloaded by clicking on LANTEX09HandbookV3.pdf Related note: WCATWC Product Change Effective February 12, 2008 WCATWC product definitions have changed to better align with other National Weather Service products and to provide more specific information regarding tsunami threat. The main change is to the Tsunami Advisory. Previously, a Tsunami Advisory indicated that a Tsunami Warning or Watch had been issued for another section of the ocean coast. As of February 12 2008, WCATWC Tsunami Advisories will be considered a low-level tsunami threat and indicate that a moderate tsunami impact is possible. No significant inundation is expected for areas under advisory, but strong currents dangerous to those in or very near the ocean are possible. Further information: on WCATWC products is provided at wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/Products/msgdefs.htm. The NWS Service Change Notice explaining the change can be viewed at www.nws.noaa.gov/om/notification/scn07-51ccatsunami.txt. West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center (WCATWC) product definitions will change to the definitions provided below on February 12, 2008. The products issued by the center are warning, watch, advisory, and information statement. Each has a distinct meaning relating to local emergency response. In summary: Warning -> Inundating wave possible -> Full evacuation suggested Watch -> Danger level not yet known -> Stay alert for more info Advisory -> Strong currents likely -> Stay away from the shore Information -> Minor waves at most -> No action suggested Based on seismic data analysis or forecasted amplitude (dependent on whether the center has obtained sea level data), WCATWC will issue the appropriate product. Procedural criteria are summarized in the linked bar chart. Warnings and Advisories suggest that action be taken. Watches are issued to provide an early alert for areas that are distant from the wave front, but may have danger. Once the danger level is determined, the watch is upgraded to a warning or advisory, or canceled. The full definition of each message is given below. See Section 5.1 for examples and descriptions of all WCATWC products. Tsunami Warning - a tsunami warning is issued when a potential tsunami with significant widespread inundation is imminent or expected. Warnings alert the public that widespread, dangerous coastal flooding accompanied by powerful currents is possible and may continue for several hours after arrival of the initial wave. Warnings also alert emergency management officials to take action for the entire tsunami hazard zone. Appropriate actions to be taken by local officials may include the evacuation of low-lying coastal areas, and the repositioning of ships to deep waters when there is time to safely do so. Warnings may be updated, adjusted geographically, downgraded, or canceled. To provide the earliest possible alert, initial warnings are normally based only on seismic information. For an example of the National Weather Service (NWS) format tsunami warning CLICK HERE. For a warning cancellation, CLICK HERE. Tsunami Watch - a tsunami watch is issued to alert emergency management officials and the public of an event which may later impact the watch area. The watch area may be upgraded to a warning or advisory - or canceled - based on updated information and analysis. Therefore, emergency management officials and the public should prepare to take action. Watches are normally issued based on seismic information without confirmation that a destructive tsunami is underway. For an example of the NWS format tsunami watch CLICK HERE. Tsunami Advisory - a tsunami advisory is issued due to the threat of a potential tsunami which may produce strong currents or waves dangerous to those in or near the water. Coastal regions historically prone to damage due to strong currents induced by tsunamis are at the greatest risk. The threat may continue for several hours after the arrival of the initial wave, but significant widespread inundation is not expected for areas under an advisory. Appropriate actions to be taken by local officials may include closing beaches, evacuating harbors and marinas, and the repositioning of ships to deep waters when there is time to safely do so. Advisories are normally updated to continue the advisory, expand/contract affected areas, upgrade to a warning, or cancel the advisory. For an example of the NWS format tsunami advisory CLICK HERE. Tsunami Information Statement - a tsunami information statement is issued to inform emergency management officials and the public that an earthquake has occurred, or that a tsunami warning, watch or advisory has been issued for another section of the ocean. In most cases, information statements are issued to indicate there is no threat of a destructive tsunami and to prevent unnecessary evacuations as the earthquake may have been felt in coastal areas. An information statement may, in appropriate situations, caution about the possibility of destructive local tsunamis. Information statements may be re-issued with additional information, though normally these messages are not updated. However, a watch, advisory or warning may be issued for the area, if necessary, after analysis and/or updated information becomes available. For an example of the NWS format information statement CLICK HERE. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Earthquake 3.0 M - Willow Creek, CA Posted: 31 Mar 2009 02:04 PM PDT Earthquake Details Magnitude 3.0 Date-Time Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at 06:57:47 UTC Monday, March 30, 2009 at 11:57:47 PM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones Location 40.988°N, 123.669°W Depth 28.3 km (17.6 miles) Region NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Distances 10 km (6 miles) N (10°) from Willow Creek, CA 22 km (14 miles) S (172°) from Weitchpec, CA 29 km (18 miles) ENE (66°) from Blue Lake, CA 47 km (29 miles) ENE (62°) from Eureka, CA 329 km (205 miles) NW (326°) from Sacramento, CA Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 0.2 km (0.1 miles); depth +/- 0.5 km (0.3 miles) Parameters Nph= 19, Dmin=14 km, Rmss=0.06 sec, Gp= 79°, M-type=duration magnitude (Md), Version=2 Source California Integrated Seismic Net: USGS Caltech CGS UCB UCSD UNR Event ID nc40234061

Missing Child: Tracy, Ca - Info Reward - Missing 8-year-old Sandra Cantu Posted: 31 Mar 2009 02:57 PM PDT Reward for information has grown to $7,000. Sandra is 4 feet tall and weighs 45 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a pink Hello Kitty T-shirt and black leggings. She was reported missing at 7:53 p.m. Friday, and a search was started 15 minutes later. She was last seen around 4 p.m. Friday. Youtube video - Tracy Police PIO interview Update: Tracy Police Sgt. Tony Shenemen, leading the investigation into Sandra's disappearance feels they have received credible tips that will ultimately lead to her whereabouts; and she will be found alive. Arrest at searched house not directly connected to Sandra's disappearance. Police searched four mobile homes in the park, a building in Tracy and another in Oakdale, police announced. What they found remains undisclosed, and the FBI is analyzing evidence, Sheneman said. Orchard Estates resident Christian Sinclair, 49, was taken to the Tracy police department, arrested, fingerprinted, photographed, cited and released on the misdemeanor charge, said Sgt. Tony Sheneman, police spokesman. Sheneman said Sinclair verbally badgered agents and officers as they searched a mobile home. His arrest is "unrelated to the investigation" of the girl's disappearance, the spokesman said. Investigators are tracking down more than 150 tips that have come in from the public. Police say there is no evidence Sandra was abducted or the victim of foul play. She was last seen on surveillance video Friday afternoon in the mobile home park where her family lives. Last seen wearing Pink " Hello Kitty" shirt and Black leggings Information about the case should be directed to the Tracy Police Department at 831-6847. Tips may be called in to 831-4550 or to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678. Google map of area - Link Man who kissed missing girl questioned - Tracy Press - Link FBI Joins Search for Missing 8-Year-Old California Girl - Fox News - Link Hundreds crowd multipurpose room - Tracy Press - Link CERT - Trained volunteers spring into action - Tracy Press - Link 6 Homes searched - Two men questioned, now termed "persons of interest," in missing girl case. - AP - Link Missing Child: Tracy, Ca - Missing 8-year-old Sandra Cantu This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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