Why was an earthquake warning sent instead of a tsunami warning?
Because at the time, there was no information as to how big a quake had to be in order to generate a tsunami. We knew we had experienced an unusually strong quake, and many people acted and moved to higher ground, but we were waiting on an evaluation and official word. This is an issue we’re working with NOAA and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to correct, so we’ll have the ability to do faster assessments in the future. Upon the Governor’s suggestion following the March 19, 2009 Tsunami Warning, we established a back-up UHF two way radio system called ‘EASCOM” to enable key people connected with EAS to communicate quickly and reliably, even in the event of telephone system disruption or overload. The system was in place, and proved invaluable in providing emergency communication on the morning of September 29. The Governor’s Security, DPS (Police Dispatch), Homeland Security (EOC), NOAA, and Radio Stations KKHJ, KSBS, KULA, Showers of Blessing, KVZK TV Station and Blue Sky
