THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING MARCH 21-25, 2011, AS

Tsunami Awareness and Preparedness Week

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WHEREAS, the San Francisco Bay Area is part of the “Ring of Fire” seismic zone comprising numerous fault lines circling the Pacific Ocean; and

WHEREAS, earthquakes along these faults have generated damaging tsunamis that have reached coastal California, including major temblors in Alaska (1946, 1964) and Chile (1960, 2010); the 1964 tsunamis are blamed for 12 deaths in Crescent City, plus another four in Oregon; and

WHEREAS, those who live, work, attend school or otherwise visit the coast are encouraged to become more informed about tsunamis as well as about evacuation plans in case tsunami warnings are issued; and

WHEREAS, warning signs of a possible tsunami include any powerful local earthquake, accompanied by a loud ocean roar, plus a sudden receding of water away from the shoreline, exposing the seafloor; if any of these are observed, everyone should immediately move inland and to higher ground; and

WHEREAS, while tsunamis along coastal California are infrequent, they are not unprecedented and are certain to occur again; proper education and preparedness will help save lives.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Board of Supervisors of San Mateo County designates March 21-25, 2011, as Tsunami Awareness and Preparedness Week. The Board urges all residents and employers of San Mateo County, especially those along the coast, to become more informed regarding the potential for and dangers of tsunamis and to prepare for such an event in the earthquake-prone Bay Area.

Dated: March 15, 2011

SUPERVISORS:

CAROLE GROOM, PRESIDENT

DON HORSLEY

ROSE JACOBS GIBSON

ADRIENNE J. TISSIER

Attest:

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Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors