To: Tsunami warning system participants in the U.S. West Coast States, Alaska, and British Columbia
From: NOAA/NWS/West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center (Experimental Web Product)
Subject: Tsunami Warning and Watch #3 issued 11/15/2006 at 4:46AM PST

A Tsunami Warning is in effect which includes the Alaska coastal areas from Sand Point, Alaska to Attu, Alaska.

A Tsunami Watch is in effect for the Washington, British Columbia and Alaska coastal areas from Cape Flattery, Washington to Sand Point, Alaska.

A Tsunami Warning means that all coastal residents in the warning area who are near the beach or in low-lying regions should move immediately inland to higher ground and away from all harbors and inlets including those sheltered directly from the sea. Those feeling the earth shake, seeing unusual wave action, or the water level rising or receding may have only a few minutes before the tsunami arrival and should evacuate immediately. Homes and small buildings are not designed to withstand tsunami impacts. Do not stay in these structures.

All residents within the warned area should be alert for instructions broadcast from their local civil authorities. This tsunami warning is based solely on earthquake information - the tsunami has not yet been confirmed.

A Tsunami Watch means that all coastal residents in the watch area should prepare for possible evacuation. A tsunami watch is issued to areas which will not be impacted by the tsunami for at least three hours. Watch areas will either be upgraded to warning status or canceled.

At 3:14 AM Pacific Standard Time on November 15, an earthquake with preliminary magnitude 8.1 occurred near the Kuril Islands, Russia. This earthquake may have generated a tsunami. If a tsunami has been generated, the waves will first reach Shemya, Alaska at 4:24 AM AKST on November 15. Estimated tsunami arrival times and maps along with safety rules and other information can be found on the WCATWC web site.

Tsunamis can be dangerous waves that are not survivable. Wave heights are amplified by irregular shoreline and are difficult to predict. Tsunamis often appear as a strong surge and may be preceded by a receding water level. Mariners in water deeper than 600 feet should not be affected by a tsunami. Wave heights will increase rapidly as water shallows. Tsunamis are a series of ocean waves which can be dangerous for several hours after the initial wave arrival. DO NOT return to evacuated areas until an all clear is given by local civil authorities.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach, Hawaii will issue messages for Hawaii and other areas of the Pacific outside the states and provinces listed above.

Additional messages will be issued every half hour or sooner if conditions warrant. This tsunami warning and watch will remain in effect until further notice. For further information stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, your local TV or radio stations, or see the WCATWC web site.

Link to Standard Warning Product
Link to Public Warning Product
Link to XML/CAP Product