Hawaii is the first state to have all of its counties adopt the National Weather Services' TsunamiReady and StormReady programs. The voluntary programs foster a relationship between the NWS and states, counties, and local emergency managers.
Earning the Tsunami- and StormReady designation means that the entire state has established a 24-hour warning and emergency operations center, can issue warnings and forecasts in more than one way, has the technology to monitor local weather conditions, will promote community preparedness, and has developed a formal hazardous weather plan.
"The events of the past 16 months or so — from the Indian Ocean tsunami to the devastating Gulf Coast hurricanes — demonstrate the power of nature's wrath and the need to prepare for it," said David L. Johnson, director of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. "My hope is that all coastal communities at risk from tsunamis will follow in Hawaii's path."
StormReady started in 1999 and has grown to more than 990 communities in 48 states. There are more than 20 TsunamiReady communities in six states. Both designations must be renewed every three years.
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