ZCZC PWMWRKPNS DEF TTAA00 KPWM DDHHMM MEZ007>009-012>014-018>022-023>028-NHZ001>010-013-014-251200 PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME 700 AM EST THU MAR 24 2011 The National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have declared the week of March 20th through 26th Tsunami Awareness Week in Maine and New Hampshire, as well as in the remainder of the coastal United States. ...STAYING SAFE WHEN A TSUNAMI THREATENS... Fortunately for northern New England, the Georges Bank shelters the coast from a major tsunami threat. However, small but dangerous, damaging, and potentially deadly tsunami waves are possible. The greatest threat is from the rapid and chaotic changes in the water levels in the Gulf of Maine and the strong currents those changes would generate. Some inundation of land areas is possible at the time of high tide; however, the greatest threat from a tsunami is due to the powerful forces generated by the rapidly moving water. TSUNAMI WATCHES, WARNINGS, AND ADVISORIES... The Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska, issues tsunami watches, warnings, and advisories for the East Coast. The Center monitors seismic activity throughout the world and determines the likelihood of tsunamis based on that activity. A tsunami watch is issued based on seismic information when a tsunami is possible for a particular location. The watch provides advance notification to areas that possibly could be impacted by a destructive tsunami. As more information becomes available, the watch may be changed to a warning or advisory. When a watch is issued, it is important to monitor the ongoing situation in case a warning or advisory is issued. During a watch, the Tsunami Warning Center will issue updated information at least every hour. A tsunami warning is issued when there is an imminent threat of a tsunami from a large undersea earthquake or upon confirmation that a destructive tsunami wave has developed. Tsunami warnings advise people of the appropriate actions to be taken in response to the tsunami threat. Such actions might include the evacuation of low-lying coastal areas and the recommendation to move boats or ships out of harbor to deeper waters. A tsunami advisory is issued to indicate that a tsunami will have minimal impact on an area. In general, inundation of land areas is not expected, although dangerous currents may develop along the coast. For those in an advisory area, the best advice is get off beaches and move away from the water edge to higher ground. In addition to watches, warnings, and advisories, the Tsunami Warning Center issues information statements to keep the public informed of seismic situations when no watch, warning, or advisory has been issued by the Center. During a tsunami event affecting the Gulf of Maine, the National Weather Services offices in Gray and Caribou will issue special weather statements providing updated information on the event and its impact along the northern New England coast. STAYING SAFE IN THE GULF OF MAINE... The greatest threat to those in the Gulf of Maine comes from the strong currents that a tsunami would generate along the coast and in the many channels and bays. For most tsunamis in the Gulf of Maine, little if any warning should be expected. If water levels unexpectedly start to recede or increase or if strong currents unexpectedly start to develop, the best advice is to immediately get off beaches and move away from the water's edge to higher ground. Damage to boats, ships, and docks may occur, but personal safety is more important than damage. If a distant event such as an earthquake in the Puerto Rican Trench is forecast to produce a tsunami in the Gulf of Maine, there may be time to take action to limit the amount of damage to property. Ship and boat owners may want to move their vessels out of harbors and channels to deep waters off the coast for safety. Smaller boats can be hauled in from the water until the tsunami threat has passed. However, once the tsunami waves reach the Gulf of Maine, you should always keep your distance from the water's edge. It is important to remember that during a tsunami event in the Gulf of Maine, water levels will fluctuate rapidly and chaotically and some localized areas will see relatively large surges compared to other areas. Also, be sure to remain away from the water's edge until emergency officials or the National Weather Service indicate that the dangerous conditions have subsided. JENSENIUS NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY, MAINE NNNN