last updated 15th December 05
By 4ecotips

NOAA praise for new emergency plans

Nearly 12 months after Indian Ocean tsunami, Officials from theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Association's weather service have praised Hawaii's civil defense team for completing the setting up of rigorous warning and evacuation criteria. These have earned the state the distinction of being Tsunami Ready and Storm Ready!.

US Senator Daniel K Inouye, said: "It is with great pride that we announce Hawaii as the first Tsunami Ready state in America. Hawaii has experienced more tsunami threats than any other state in the union and we know how devastating they can be."

"As we near the one-year anniversary of the greatest tsunami in living history our hearts go out to those Indian Ocean countries who are still recovering. In Hawaii, we have taken steps to be better prepared for the next tsunami."

"We have an emergency operations center in every county, a statewide siren system, evacuation maps in the phone books, regular drills and public education programs."

Governor Linda Lingle, said: "However, as we have learned this year from the Indian Ocean Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina, we can never be fully prepared. My Administration is proposing a comprehensive Emergency Preparedness Package focused on hazard mitigation, enhancing preparedness, and accelerating response and recovery efforts to help make Hawaii better prepared in the years ahead."

"These initiatives, when fully implemented, will further strengthen our ability to save lives and protect property in the event of a disaster."