Office of Emergency Services Participating in the Annual Tsunami Warning Communications Test

The National Weather Service (NWS) and the Counties of Mendocino, Humboldt, and Del Norte will be participating in the annual Tsunami Warning Communications Test on March 27, 2024, between 11:00 AM and noon. Tsunami sirens, the Emergency Alert System (TV, radio, and NOAA Weather Radio), Civil Air Patrol public address system, and the reverse 911 calling system will be tested to ensure the tsunami warning systems are working properly.

What to expect for Mendocino County residents:

• The NWS will send an Emergency Alert System message to Mendocino, Humboldt, and Del Norte Counties.
• A crawler will appear at the bottom of TV screens indicating that a tsunami warning has been issued and a voice will indicate that it is only a test.
• Alerting tones followed by a voice announcing that the test is occurring will be broadcast on local radio stations. If you have a NOAA weather radio with the Public Alert feature, the radio will automatically turn on and you will hear the same message as broadcast on regular radios.
• Tsunami sirens will be activated on the coast.
• The Civil Air Patrol will fly the entire coastline broadcasting a test message over the public address system.
• The Mendocino County Office of Emergency Services (OES) will send a reverse 911 call to the coastal tsunami zone.

For all questions, please contact OES@mendocinocounty.gov or call 707-234-6398.

Download Press Release here.