Coastal Californians will receive a tsunami alert Wednesday morning on television and radio that the NOAA says may or may not include the word "TEST."Coastal Californians will receive a tsunami alert Wednesday morning on television and radio that the NOAA says may or may not include the word "TEST."
As part of National Tsunami Preparedness Week, officials will conduct a test of the tsunami warning system in the coastal regions of central and southern California at approximately 10:15 a.m. PDT.
A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) release states, "Some television systems are programmed to scroll a standard emergency alert text message and in some cases, the message may not contain the word "TEST." An audio message will say that the message is only a test, but if the volume is turned down or otherwise unheard, viewers may not realize the message is a test."
The NOAA has mitigated potential for confusion by determining to cancel the test should any "excessive seismic activity" occur in the 24 hours leading up to the test.
NOAA, Cal OES, California Broadcasters Association and local emergency management officials in coastal California have come together in cooperation to conduct the test.
"During California's Tsunami Preparedness Week, March 22 – 28, NOAA and emergency managers promote tsunami safety and awareness and urge coastal residents and visitors to prepare themselves and their families for a tsunami," according to the NOAA release.