Replies

IDY68029

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology

MEDIA:
NO USE OF STANDARD EMERGENCY WARNING SIGNAL (SEWS)
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE AND FREQUENT BROADCAST
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TSUNAMI WARNING NUMBER 1 FOR PARTS OF VICTORIA
Issued by the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC) at
08:28 PM EST on Wednesday 15 July 2009

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TSUNAMI THREAT TO THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT

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SUMMARY:

Tsunami warning for the marine environment for parts of VICTORIA.

Threatened areas extend from Lakes Entrance to Gabo Island including Gabo
Island, Lakes Entrance, Mallacoota and Point Hicks.

Possibility of DANGEROUS WAVES, STRONG OCEAN CURRENTS AND SOME LOCALISED
OVERFLOW ONTO THE IMMEDIATE FORESHORE for several hours from 10:15 pm (EST)
Wednesday.

Although major evacuations are not required, people are advised to get out of
the water and move away from the immediate water’s edge.

Next update will be issued by 09:28 PM EST on Wednesday 15 July 2009

For latest and further information call 1300 TSUNAMI (1300 878 6264) or visit
www.bom.gov.au

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DETAILS:

A threat of DANGEROUS WAVES, STRONG OCEAN CURRENTS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME
LOCALISED OVERFLOW ONTO THE IMMEDIATE FORESHORE exists for parts of
VICTORIA from Lakes Entrance to Gabo Island including Gabo Island, Lakes
Entrance, Mallacoota and Point Hicks.

Tsunami effects are expected at the following locations from these times:

Lakes Entrance after 10:15 pm (EST) Wednesday

COMMUNITY RESPONSE ADVICE FROM THE VICTORIAN STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE

- While major evacuations in these areas are not required, people are advised
to get out of the water and move away from the immediate water’s edge of
harbours, coastal estuaries, rock platforms and beaches.

- Boats in harbours, estuaries or shallow coastal water should return to
shore. Secure your boat and move away from the waterfront.

- Vessels already at sea should stay offshore in deep water until further
advised.

- Do not go to the coast to watch the tsunami, as there is the possibility of
dangerous, localised flooding of the immediate foreshore.

- Check that your neighbours have received this advice.

CAUTION:
Tsunami waves are more powerful than the same size beach waves, with the first
wave not necessarily being the largest.

Low-level effects may be observed in neighbouring coastal areas. People are
advised to take care.

TSUNAMI SOURCE:
An undersea earthquake of magnitude 7.9 (Latitude 45.960S Longitude 166.470E )
occurred at 07:22 PM EST on Wednesday 15 July 2009 near OFF W. COAST OF S.
ISLAND, N.Z..

Sea level observations have confirmed a tsunami.

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The earthquake of magnitude 7.9 (Latitude 45.960S Longitude 166.470E )
occurred at 07:22 PM EST on Wednesday 15 July 2009.

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The NEXT UPDATE will be issued by 09:28 PM EST on Wednesday 15 July 2009

FOR LATEST AND FURTHER INFORMATION:
Call 1300 TSUNAMI (1300 878 6264) or visit www.bom.gov.au

FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE:
Call the VICTORIAN STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE on 132 500

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EST = Eastern Standard Time
CST = Central Standard Time = EST - 30 minutes
WST = Western Standard Time = EST - 2 hours

The JATWC is operated by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and Geoscience
Australia