The Front Porch

[TWCJim]

Monthly Tsunami Siren Test- Seaview, WA- August 6, 2012

Here it is, folks. My video footage of the monthly tsunami siren test in Seaview.

Standing a little too close to the siren pole, the Westminster Chimes scared the crap out of me when they went off. You can see here that I accidentally shook my camera because of that      

[TWCCraig]

Very interesting! I would have definitely would have got scared too of the sirens. 

[Donovan]

The chime's on the siren are what the bell's at my school sound like. 

[Trevor]

FYI, in case you didn't know, that's a Modulator siren by Federal Signal.

[Localonthe8s]

FYI, in case you didn't know, that's a Modulator siren by Federal Signal.

Yup it is. We have one near the fire station in Absecon, though I don't think it's in operation currently.

[Zach]

FYI, in case you didn't know, that's a Modulator siren by Federal Signal.

There are a few of those on the University of South Florida campus and (through Google maps satellite image), I saw one on MacDill AFB in my area 

Also, there are Whelen WPS sirens all over Hillsborough County. There are a handful of Whelen WPS-28xx sirens (not sure on what exact model since I haven't counted the speakers) around port Tampa used in the emergency of toxic spills and a trio of Whelen WPS-2810s in and around the Valrico area used to alert residents of a breach at the Meddard reservoir.

[TWCJim]

The chime's on the siren are what the bell's at my school sound like. 

Yep, the Westminster Chimes are commonly heard nowadays. My high school back in Spokane also had them on their bell system. My parents have a clock in their living room that also play the chimes.

Those loud chimes really startled me when I was trying to cover my ears from the loud noise while filming the siren pole. After the verbal message that played after the chimes, there was this guy who worked at a nearby motel, and he said to a child (whom I'm guessing was staying there) and then soon afterward to myself "That'll wake you up, won't it?"    I think you can hear him say that to the child (just barely) near the very end of this video clip.

[toxictwister00]

I meant to ask this yesterday, but forgot. Does anyone know if TWC has ever sent an OCM outside of the US to cover a hurricane? I'm pretty sure it's too late for them to send anybody for Ernesto anyway, but I was curious if they have ever done that before.

[Localonthe8s]

Probably to Mexico in late 90s though that's just a guess

[Stephen]

I'm pretty sure Jim Cantore reported from Mexico during Hurricane Dean in '07.

[Localonthe8s]

Yes he did now that I remember he was reporting in the Yucatan

[toxictwister00]

I'm pretty sure Jim Cantore reported from Mexico during Hurricane Dean in '07.

Thanks, I don't think I watched much of any Hurricane Dean coverage they did then so I couldn't remember. They should consider doing that type of thing more often because it would be nice to be able to see how conditions are in the Caribbean/Yucatan/Mexican shorelines when a hurricane threatens. 

[TWCToday]

I thought Jim was in Bermuda once recently for a storm. I forget which.

[toxictwister00]

I thought Jim was in Bermuda once recently for a storm. I forget which.

Oh good, I'm not imagining that then. I kinda remember something like that too which is another reason why I brought the question up.

[Stephen]

I thought Jim was in Bermuda once recently for a storm. I forget which.

I believe that was during Bill.