Tsunami experts in Ocean Shores for public meeting on May 10

Tsunami and earthquake experts will be in Ocean Shores the evening of May 10 for an in-person presentation and discussion on the importance of vertical evacuation structures, tsunami modeling, maps and the difference between a distant tsunami event and a local one.

The free event will start at 6 p.m., May 10 and be at the Ocean Shores Convention Center, 120 W. Chance a La Mer NW in Ocean Shores.

Officials from the Washington Emergency Management Division will be joined by the Washington Geological Survey, Grays Harbor Emergency Management, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ocean Shores Mayor Jon Martin and Cale Ash of engineering firm Degenkolb.

This is the first presentation in Ocean Shores with scientists and tsunami experts since 2019. Since that time, a new tsunami vertical evacuation tower in Tokeland was constructed and the USGS ShakeAlert™ Earthquake Early Warning system was launched. There are also now 122 sirens on the Washington coast, which are run and maintained by the state. The state installed the first siren in 2005 and there are 34 sirens located in Grays Harbor County alone. Find locations of the sirens and clips of what they sound like on this website.

Grant funds are available for Ocean Shores to have its first tsunami vertical evacuation tower and part of the presentation will focus on what that means for the community. There will also be time to ask experts and scientists questions.

“We are especially eager to address any questions and provide accurate information regarding tsunami vertical evacuation towers,” said Elyssa Tappero, the tsunami program manager for the Washington Emergency Management Division. “We know they can save lives and we look forward to providing clarity about the effectiveness of these towers.”

The last time experts conducted a meeting like this, there were a few hundred people in attendance. Those who attend and want good seats may want to get there early. Anyone who needs special accommodations should email public.education@mil.wa.gov beforehand.

The meeting will be broadcast after on North Beach Community TV.

Tips and tsunami inundation maps are available for download at https://mil.wa.gov/tsunami.