Title
Discuss Tsunami Awareness
Body
Background
Despite Alameda not having experienced a significant tsunami, there is a potential for it, especially after a major seismic event. The probability of a tsunami impacting Alameda is low, but the risk of significant damage is high. To provide awareness about tsunamis, City staff and tsunami experts are conducting community meetings and participating in this Transportation Commission meeting.
Discussion
If a tsunami is expected, the City of Alameda would issue tsunami warnings to alert the public of areas that would need to evacuate (Figure 1). To receive tsunami warnings as well as other emergency alerts by voice, text and email, click on the “subscribe” button on the AC Alert web page: <https://www.acgov.org/emergencysite/> The warnings would provide official tsunami wave arrival time estimates to plan accordingly.
Tsunamis can cause rapid changes in water level and unpredictable dangerous currents that are magnified in marinas, ports and harbors, and can inundate bay communities. Damaging wave activity can continue for many hours following initial tsunami impact. Although Alameda’s shorelines are considered “sheltered” waters, impacts of a large tsunami along the coast could cause a devastating surge in tidal areas all along the inside of San Francisco Bay.
For more information on disaster preparedness including training with Alameda’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, please refer to the following City web page: <https://www.alamedaca.gov/Departments/Fire-Department/Disaster-Preparedness> The City of Alameda invites Alamedans to participate in the following community meetings to prepare for a tsunami:
Tsunami Presentation for Boaters and the Marinas
What: To prepare the boating community for a tsunami
Who: Presenters will include local, state and federal tsunami experts
When: Thursday, September 19, 6:30 p.m.
Where: City Hall, City Council Chambers, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue
Tsunami Presentation for Alamedans
What: To prepare Alameda residents, employers and others
Who: Presenters will include local, state and federal tsunami experts
When: Wednesday, October 30, 6:30 pm
Where: City Hall, City Council Chambers, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue
The next phase of planning involves purchasing message and detour signs, installing evacuation and message signs, displaying earthquake/tsunami hazard decals in public places and formalizing the evacuation process with the City of Oakland staff.
Recommendation
Discuss Tsunami Awareness
Respectfully submitted by,
Gail Payne
Senior Transportation Coordinator
Exhibits:
1. City of Alameda Maximum Phase Tsunami Evacuation Zone Map
2. Tsunami Brochure
3. Tsunami Sign Placement Guidance for the City of Alameda