IV 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 185 
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Tsunami Awareness Week. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 29, 2011 
Mr. THOMPSON of California submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
RESOLUTION 
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Tsunami 
Awareness Week. 
Whereas a tsunami is a series of ocean or sea waves caused 
by a sudden, large displacement of water most often 
caused by earthquakes, but also by landslides, volcanic 
eruptions, and comet or meteorite impacts in the ocean; 
Whereas a tsunami is like a fast rising flood tide, storm 
surge, or an advancing wall of water and strikes with 
devastating force; 
Whereas a tsunami will continue for many hours; 
Whereas the first wave is often not the largest nor the most 
dangerous, and surges may arrive 24 hours or more after 
the initial wave; 
Whereas all U.S. ocean coasts can be impacted by tsunamis, 
though based on proximity to tsunami sources and sea 
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floor configurations, some areas are at much greater risk 
than others; 
Whereas destructive and deadly tsunamis have struck Hawaii, 
Alaska, 
California, 
Oregon, 
Washington, 
American 
Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands within 
the last 150 years; 
Whereas 7,000,000 people currently live in U.S. coastal com-
munities at risk from a destructive tsunami; 
Whereas homes, businesses, public buildings, and infrastruc-
ture may be damaged by tsunami surges and strong cur-
rents during a tsunami; 
Whereas damage from a destructive tsunami is usually sub-
stantial as debris and tsunami surges can wash away 
homes, roads, and bridges in areas where the tsunami 
floods; 
Whereas the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion (or NOAA) National Weather Service operates two 
tsunami warning centers, in Palmer, Alaska, and Ewa 
Beach, Hawaii, which are staffed 24/7, and issue tsunami 
alerts (warnings, advisories, watches, and information 
statements) as early as two minutes after an earthquake; 
Whereas upon receipt of tsunami alerts, State and local 
emergency management agencies determine the appro-
priate response, including whether to clear the beaches, 
sound sirens, or evacuate people; 
Whereas experts at NOAA’s Tsunami Warning Centers and 
the National Weather Service agree that it is critical for 
all people to know if they live or are visiting an area at- 
risk to tsunamis to determine the tsunami history and 
flooding of the area, know tsunami inundation zones, and 
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to develop a written family disaster plan based on this 
knowledge; 
Whereas the Tsunami Warning Centers recommend that peo-
ple located in areas at-risk for tsunamis prepare a per-
sonal evacuation plan that identifies ahead of time evacu-
ation routes and assembly areas and a local road map; 
Whereas the Tsunami Warning Centers recommend that peo-
ple in areas at-risk for tsunamis prepare a portable dis-
aster supply kit before a tsunami strikes that includes a 
first aid kit with essential medications, food, and at least 
3 gallons of water per person per day for up to 3 to 7 
days, protective clothing, rain gear, bedding or sleeping 
bags, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, extra bat-
teries, and special items for infant, elderly, or disabled 
family members; 
Whereas the Tsunami Warning Centers recommend that citi-
zens know that a ‘‘tsunami warning’’ means a tsunami 
with the potential to generate widespread inundation is 
imminent or expected for the warned area, and people 
should move up to higher ground or inland or to a des-
ignated tsunami evacuation shelter and stay there, listen 
to local officials, and be aware the first wave may not be 
the last or largest wave during the tsunami; 
Whereas the Tsunami Warning Centers recommend that citi-
zens know that a ‘‘tsunami advisory’’ means a tsunami 
with the potential to generate strong currents or waves 
dangerous to those in or very near the water is imminent 
or expected for the advised area, people should move out 
of beach areas, marinas, and harbors, stay away from 
beach areas, marinas, and harbors until local officials say 
it’s safe to return to the area under an advisory, and the 
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threat may continue for several hours after the first 
wave’s initial arrival; 
Whereas NOAA warns that the warning signs of a tsunami, 
include a strong earthquake, or one that persists for 20 
seconds or longer, the ocean withdraws or rises rapidly, 
a loud, roaring sound (like an airplane or a train) coming 
from the ocean, and tsunami warnings broadcast over tel-
evision and radio, by beach lifeguards, community sirens, 
text message alerts, National Weather Service Tsunami 
Warning Center Web sites and on NOAA Weather Radio 
All Hazard; 
Whereas if you see these warning signs, NOAA advises you 
of what to do, including— 
(1) keep calm; 
(2) immediately move to your local tsunami shelter 
using defined tsunami evacuation routes; 
(3) move to higher ground that is at least 100 feet 
in elevation, a mile inland, or to the highest floor of a 
sturdy building and stay there if there are no evacuation 
routes defined; 
(4) do not move from a safe location; 
(5) move on foot when possible, do not drive, keep 
roads clear for emergency vehicles; 
(6) stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or news 
broadcasts for changes in tsunami alerts; and 
(7) stay away from the coast and low-lying areas 
until local officials say it’s safe to return; 
Whereas the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion provides more detailed information about tsunamis 
and tsunami preparedness via its Web site at http:// 
www.tsunamiready.noaa.gov/; 
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Whereas awareness of natural tsunami warning signs saves 
lives in areas close to the tsunami source; and 
Whereas National Tsunami Awareness Week will be the week 
of March 20, 2011, through March 26, 2011: Now, 
therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National 
Tsunami Awareness Week; 
(2) encourages the staff of the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration, especially the 
National Weather Service and the Pacific Tsunami 
Warning Center and the West Coast/Alaska Tsu-
nami Warning Center, and other appropriate Fed-
eral agencies, to continue their work of educating 
people in the United States about tsunami prepared-
ness; 
(3) endorses the efforts of the National Tsu-
nami 
Hazard 
Mitigation 
Program 
(http:// 
nthmp.tsunami.gov), a coordinated national effort of 
Federal, State and local entities, to assess tsunami 
threats, prepare community response, issue timely 
and effective warnings, and mitigate damage; and 
(4) urges the people of the United States to 
recognize such a week as an opportunity to learn 
more about the work of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration in warning for and 
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mitigating the impact of tsunamis and educating 
citizens about the potential risks of these natural 
disasters. 
Æ 
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