MILTON — It’s official: Santa Rosa County is TsunamiReady, a first not just for the region, but also the Gulf Coast.
Should a tsunami — a long, high sea wave caused by an earthquake or other disturbance — occur, our area will be prepared, according to county emergency management director Brad Baker.
So, what is TsunamiReady? Well, the National Weather Service and the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program established the voluntary community recognition program, which promotes safety before, during and after tsunami emergencies.
“It’s a multi-tiered plan,” Baker said.
In addition to identifying potential flood areas, providing evacuation routes, evacuation route signage, public education and outreach, SRC emergency management had to establish a 24-hour warning point, develop a tsunami operations plan and ensure there is more than one option to spread tsunami warnings to the public.
Currently, Baker said, his department is making safety pamphlets available at Santa Rosa County beach locations to help spread awareness.
While tsunamis are highly unlikely in our region, NWS officials say these weather events are still a threat to the Gulf Coast. Underwater landslides, for instance, are a source for a potential tsunami.
In the meantime, emergency officials from neighboring Escambia and Okaloosa counties have contacted Baker’s department to learn more about the certification process.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Santa Rosa County is 'TsunamiReady'