||| BY LIN MCNULTY, theORCASONIAN EDITOR |||
When a recent tsunami alert, following an 8.7 earthquake in Russia, began to show up on our screens on July 29, we were afforded the opportunity to view the progression across the Pacific and calculate potential impact to the Salish Sea.
A watch indicates that hazardous conditions are possible, while a warning means those conditions are imminent or already happening and pose a threat to life or property. An advisory is issued for less severe conditions that could still cause significant inconvenience or minor hazards. Locally, we received notice of a tsunami watch from our Emergency Management Dept.
When a tsunami watch is issued to indicate a tsunami may later impact the watch area, it may be upgraded to a warning or advisory, or canceled based on updated information and analysis.
But what if you are onboard a Washington State Ferry?
Jenna Forty, Senior Director of External Relations for WSF, addressed this question from theOrcasonian, as it was noted that no WSF alerts were issued during this period.
“During the recent tsunami warning, no action was required because the threat was from a distant source, and local experts did not expect damaging waves in the Puget Sound region. In such cases, we closely monitor information from emergency management agencies and coordinate with state partners to determine the appropriate level of response.
“We have detailed protocols in place for tsunami warnings that prioritize the safety of passengers, crew, and vessels, while also supporting the larger emergency response effort.
What actions we take depend on where the tsunami originates. If it’s from a local earthquake – such as along the Seattle Fault – a tsunami could reach the area within minutes. In that case, our crews are trained to immediately focus on safety at terminals and on board vessels. If the tsunami is generated farther away, such as from the Cascadia Subduction Zone or across the Pacific Ocean, we have more time to act, and if needed, will halt service, evacuate passengers, then move vessels to deeper water if crews are available.”
There are safety protocols in place, of course, but as we were monitoring the progress of a potential tsunami arriving in our area, our ferries were thankfully gliding along smoothly.
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