The Next Wave in Tsunami Warnings in Humboldt

F1

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: The City of Eureka exhibits foresight in assisting local businesses in the tsunami hazard zone to become tsunami prepared by sponsoring the Tsunami Preparedness Workshop for Businesses, improving safety and reducing risk.

No recommendations for this finding

F2

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: The Ink People, Eureka Main Street, Wiyot Tribe and the Eureka Cultural Arts District Leadership Council are collaborating on an educational tsunami art mural project to bring tsunami awareness to visitors and residents alike, increasing safety.

No recommendations for this finding

F3

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: Humboldt County tsunami sirens are costly, inadequately funded, and nearly all are non-functional, leaving large tsunami hazard zone areas without siren coverage. (R1)

Related Recommendations (1)

R1

The Humboldt County Sheriff direct the Program Manager of the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services to further publicize that Humboldt County’s outdated siren system will not be replaced or expanded. This should be completed by the conclusion of Tsunami Week, 2027. (F3)

F4

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: “Blue line” markings that indicate "Leaving Tsunami Zone" have proven effective and economical in drawing public awareness to where safety lies in the event of a tsunami, providing quick, instantly understandable emergency directions and reducing risks. (R2)

Related Recommendations (1)

R2

The Eureka City Council direct the City Manager and city staff to, as time and resources allow, apply for eligible grant funding for a “blue line” project to be engineered and installed in Eureka. Grant applications should be submitted during the next feasible grant cycle. (F4)

F5

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: Local printed tourist maps do not indicate tsunami hazard zone boundaries; this is a missed opportunity to educate visitors where the tsunami hazard zones are. (R3)

Related Recommendations (1)

R3

The Eureka City Council direct the City Manager and city staff to update the visitors map to include color-coded tsunami hazard and safe zones, in coordination with California Geological Survey maps color-coding. We recommend this be done the next time the maps are updated and reprinted. (F5)

F6

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: Eureka Old Town kiosks do not include maps with color-coded tsunami hazard and safe zones; this is a missed opportunity to educate visitors where the tsunami hazard zones are. (R4)

Related Recommendations (1)

R4

The Eureka City Council direct the City Manager and city staff to update the kiosks to include maps with color-coded tsunami hazard and safe zones, in coordination with California Geological Survey maps color-coding. We recommend that this be done the next time the kiosks are renovated or updated. (F6)

F7

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: Alaska-based federally operated tsunami wireless alert systems have historically been targeted to overly broad areas of the west coast, resulting in local false alarms, confusion and needless panic. (R5, R6, R7)

Related Recommendations (3)

R5

The Humboldt County Sheriff direct the Program Manager of the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services to assess its current local wireless alert system for geolocation functionality and report to the Sheriff by September 30, 2026. (F7, F8)

R6

If geolocation is available on the current alert system used by Humboldt County, the Humboldt County Sheriff direct the Program Manager of the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services to implement geolocation by Tsunami Week, 2027. (F7, F8)

R7

If the current local wireless alert system does not have the ability to send alerts based on geolocation, the Humboldt County Sheriff direct the Program Manager of the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services to compare the current system to other systems which provide geolocation capability, evaluate available funding, and submit a report on the outcome of that research to the Sheriff by December 31, 2026. (F7, F8) RESPONSES Pursuant to California Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, each entity or individual named below must respond to the enumerated Findings and Recommendations within specific statutory guidelines. Responses to Findings shall be either: • The respondent agrees with the finding; or • The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefor. Responses to Recommendations shall be one of the following: • The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action; or • The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a time frame for implementation; or • The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a time frame for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency where applicable. This time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of the publication of the Grand Jury report; or • The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefor. REQUIRED RESPONSES - WITHIN 60 DAYS The Humboldt County Sheriff (F3, F7, F8, R1, R5, R6, R7) REQUIRED RESPONSES - WITHIN 90 DAYS The Eureka City Council (F1, F4, F5, F6, R2, R3, R4) INVITED RESPONSES The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury also invites the following entities or individuals to respond: The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services Program Manager (F3, F7, F8, R1, R5, R6, R7) Responses are to be sent to both: The Honorable Judge Timothy A. Canning California Superior Court for Humboldt County 825 5th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury PO Box 657; Eureka, CA 95502 A Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury. APPENDIX A

F8

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: Current Humboldt Alert wireless messages are sent based on residential addresses rather than using geolocation technology to pinpoint the actual physical location of the person’s phone. This can result in people who do not live in a tsunami hazard zone missing an alert during an actual tsunami event. (R5,

Related Recommendations (3)

R5

The Humboldt County Sheriff direct the Program Manager of the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services to assess its current local wireless alert system for geolocation functionality and report to the Sheriff by September 30, 2026. (F7, F8)

R6

If geolocation is available on the current alert system used by Humboldt County, the Humboldt County Sheriff direct the Program Manager of the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services to implement geolocation by Tsunami Week, 2027. (F7, F8)

R7

If the current local wireless alert system does not have the ability to send alerts based on geolocation, the Humboldt County Sheriff direct the Program Manager of the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services to compare the current system to other systems which provide geolocation capability, evaluate available funding, and submit a report on the outcome of that research to the Sheriff by December 31, 2026. (F7, F8) RESPONSES Pursuant to California Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, each entity or individual named below must respond to the enumerated Findings and Recommendations within specific statutory guidelines. Responses to Findings shall be either: • The respondent agrees with the finding; or • The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefor. Responses to Recommendations shall be one of the following: • The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action; or • The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a time frame for implementation; or • The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a time frame for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency where applicable. This time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of the publication of the Grand Jury report; or • The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefor. REQUIRED RESPONSES - WITHIN 60 DAYS The Humboldt County Sheriff (F3, F7, F8, R1, R5, R6, R7) REQUIRED RESPONSES - WITHIN 90 DAYS The Eureka City Council (F1, F4, F5, F6, R2, R3, R4) INVITED RESPONSES The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury also invites the following entities or individuals to respond: The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services Program Manager (F3, F7, F8, R1, R5, R6, R7) Responses are to be sent to both: The Honorable Judge Timothy A. Canning California Superior Court for Humboldt County 825 5th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury PO Box 657; Eureka, CA 95502 A Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury. APPENDIX A

Findings and Recommendations 8 findings