On December 5, everyone with a cell phone in Alameda was sent a Wireless Emergency Alert from the National Weather Service saying we were in danger of a tsunami and to move to higher ground or inland. These alerts are sent when there is a possibility of a life safety hazard. The City immediately responded by activating its Emergency Operations Center, staffed by fire, police, the City Manager's office, City department heads, and the school district. We deployed emergency personnel to shoreline schools that had been identified as being at possible risk to help ensure safety, began communicating with marinas to secure boats, and issued a warning to residents to stay away from the shoreline. The warning was canceled when the risk of a tsunami was no longer a threat.

Whenever a tsunami warning is issued, it is always a good idea to stay out of water and away from the shoreline, beaches, harbors, marinas, and piers. Once the City and our regional partners have information specific to possible impacts in Alameda, we will issue additional notices about what to do and how to protect yourself, your family, and your property.

We understand the alarming nature of the initial warning that was sent broadly to coastal areas from Oregon to Santa Cruz, and the initial reaction to flee the island. However, the City has assessed its tsunami risk and impacts and determined that under the worst-case scenario, which has a very low probability of occurring according to studies conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), unlike other coastal areas near the ocean what Alameda could experience are fast moving tides with strong currents and significant flooding that can cause major damage. It would take around 5 hours for the flooding to reach our area and we will alert you as to what the safest action is to take.

To ensure you are prepared, please make sure you subscribe to AC Alert, which is where we send local emergency alerts and updates via text, phone, and email: https://www.acalert.org/ 

The City will be hosting a virtual community presentation on disaster preparedness in the coming months to provide broader context for emergency response and risks specific to Alameda. More details on that will be shared in January.