Eureka, CA – Cell phones, radios, and TVs across Northern California’s coast will sound off at 11 a.m. Wednesday as a full-scale tsunami preparedness drill rolls out across Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino counties.
According to the National Weather Service in Eureka, emergency officials will send test alerts through the Emergency Alert System at exactly 11 a.m. Wednesday, prompting residents to practice how they would respond to a real tsunami threat. The drill is coordinated with county emergency services and includes both English and Spanish outreach.
Coastal communities from Crescent City to Fort Bragg are expected to participate. Residents inside designated tsunami zones are urged to walk evacuation routes to higher ground during the drill, while those outside hazard zones should use the time to review earthquake and post-disaster plans. Officials emphasize that tsunami waves can persist for 24 to 48 hours after the initial event, making re-entry decisions critical.
This coordinated exercise comes as part of ongoing readiness efforts along California’s seismically active coastline. Emergency managers stress that knowing evacuation routes and acting quickly can significantly reduce risk during a real event.
The drill begins promptly at 11 a.m. Wednesday, and additional preparedness campaigns are expected to continue through the spring.
