South Bend, Washington – The Pacific County Emergency Management Agency activated the Emergency Operations Center in response to a tsunami advisory issued early in the day by the West Coast Alaska Tsunami Warning Center for the Washington Coast.
The EOC activated at 12:30 a.m. and immediately began assessing the circumstances. A recommendation for residents to move to high ground was issued shortly after activation. Residents were notified via the telephonic warning system, and through media releases via email, Twitter, and Facebook. Assistance to those residents unable to evacuate themselves was coordinated through the EOC with the Raymond Fire Department, Pacific County Fire District 1 and the Ilwaco Volunteer Fire Department, but has now ceased due to concerns for responder safety.
The Pacific County EOC will remain activated until circumstances indicate that the threat has ended and the impact has been assessed. Currently the EOC is watching for the impact on the Pacific County coastline. When the West Coast Alaska Tsunami Warning Center indicates the threat has ended the Pacific County EOC will pass that information to residents as soon as possible.