Bipartisan Tsunami Bill Unanimously Passes Senate, Strengthens Coastal Disaster Preparedness

Press Release

U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Brian Schatz (D-HI) announced their tsunami detection and warning systems legislation unanimously passed the Senate. The bill reauthorizes and enhances tsunami preparedness and increases investment in research to protect coastal communities.

The Tsunami Warning, Education and Research Act of 2015 would strengthen the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) tsunami warning system and advance new research related to improving tsunami detection, forecasting, notification and response.

"In the tradition of Senators Ted Stevens and Dan Inouye, I am pleased to see this bill unanimously pass the Senate," said Sen. Sullivan. "In the event of the next tsunami, adequate warning for Alaska's coastal communities is essential. This legislation will ensure that important monitoring centers, vital research advancements and community based mitigation programs continue in a cost effective manner."

"With more than 300,000 Washingtonians living along the Cascadia fault in a tsunami danger zone, we must prepare our coastal communities. This legislation improves our emergency warning infrastructure, provides funding to our state-based emergency management programs, and bolsters readiness assessments for coastal areas at-risk," said Sen. Cantwell.

"The earthquake in Chile earlier this month showed the strength of NOAA's tsunami network. NOAA's quick response to identify a minimal risk to Hawaii avoided the costs and panic of an unnecessary evacuation. The bill we passed today lays the foundation for even higher standards for NOAA's warning products so that coastal communities can better prepare for the specific impacts they are likely to face on their harbors and ports, downtown districts, and evacuation routes," said Sen. Schatz.

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