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FSM Responds to Tsunami Warning

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): October 9, 2009 - On Thursday, October 8, 2009, at 10.03 a.m., the Office of the President received a fax from the FSM Weather Bureau's Weather Service Office located in Pohnpei, alerting the President to the earthquake that had just been detected near Vanuatu and the potential tsunami heading for the FSM. The Office of Environment and Emergency Management (OEEM) began calling the State Governor's offices and State Disaster Coordinators verifying that they had received the warning from their local weather stations and that they were activating their emergency task forces. President Mori personally called the acting Governor of Kosrae, Governor Anefal of Yap, the Chief of Staff in Pohnpei and the Governor of Chuuk to make sure they were aware of the warning.

At 11:30 a.m., Mr. Eden Skilling of the FSM Weather Bureau called the Office of the President and cancelled all warnings for the islands in the FSM. This information was communicated to the states and via the state governments to the public.

In response to this event, President Mori emphasized the real need to increase and strengthen the communication systems in the FSM to deal with emergencies.