PORT ANGELES — Let’s try this again.
A month after tsunami warning systems broadcast faulty information about volcanic activity along the coast, state emergency managers vow the monthly test planned for Monday at noon will work like it’s supposed to.
Emergency managers have repaired the computer glitch that caused simultaneous faulty messages on 50 all-hazards alert broadcast systems June 7 in Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor and Pacific counties.
The public-address systems blared information about a volcano and possible hazardous materials.
The tests are supposed to play chimes followed by a short “this is a test” message.
State Deputy Emergency Manager Chuck Wallace said the button used to initiate the test was incorrectly programmed and sounded the alert siren instead of the chimes.
“The four counties, coastal tribes and the state have worked closely with the system’s prime contractor to find and correct the cause of last month’s faulty test,” said John Schelling, Emergency Management Division earthquake program manager.
“We expect the system to work as designed in this July test.”
The broadcast system is activated by satellite relay from the state Emergency Management Division’s headquarters at Camp Murray, southwest of Tacoma.
Clallam County has active tsunami sirens at LaPush, Neah Bay, Lower Elwha, Port Angeles, Sequim and Diamond Point.
Jefferson County has sirens in Port Townsend and Port Hadlock to the east, and on the Hoh Reservation in West Jefferson.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsula dailynews.com.
