Washington Governor Wants Coordinated Earthquake, Tsunami Response Plan

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is directing several state agencies to work together to prepare for a coordinated plan in case of a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami.

The directive, which was issued earlier this month, creates a subcabinet group of the Washington Military Department’s Emergency Management Division to work with several state agencies, including the Department of Transportation and the Department of Health, “to identify data and information gaps that hinder preparedness and response plans.”

The group will work on a public education plan and will develop actions to coordinate across state agencies and with federal partners to improve response time.

The group’s first meeting will take place in January and initial recommendations are due to the governor June 30, 2017.