KMUD News December News Letter
Dear KMUD News Supporters,
What a way to start December! I hope everyone managed to stay safe during the recent M7 earthquake and the subsequent tsunami warning. While we didn’t experience a major tsunami, our region did see oscillations in water levels around Humboldt Bay, indicating that a small-scale tsunami did occur.
Since the event, we’ve been conducting after-action reviews with local officials to assess how our region performed during what was essentially a large-scale tsunami drill. One significant observation was the traffic congestion along Highway 101, which runs through large stretches of the tsunami hazard zone.
To help our community better prepare for the next “big one,” KMUD News has created a Tsunami Resource Guide: Maps & Information for community members to plan and stay safe. Remember, when the earth starts to shake, it’s critical for those in tsunami hazard zones to move to higher ground immediately. A large earthquake can trigger a tsunami within 10 minutes or less.
The recent earthquake was approximately 30–60 miles offshore (distance estimates have varied as new data is processed), which provided extra time for evacuation. However, a closer offshore earthquake could mean only minutes to act. Emergency personnel will do their best to share information, but it’s essential for everyone to prepare in advance and know how to respond since communications may be disrupted during a disaster.
At KMUD, we are committed to staying on the air during emergencies like the one we experienced last Thursday. Thanks to our dedicated team and supporters like you, we were broadcasting within three minutes, delivering up-to-the-minute information. Our coverage included insights from local experts, the Warning Coordination Meteorologist from the National Weather Service in Eureka, and updates from Humboldt and Mendocino County Sheriffs.
To continue providing critical, reliable coverage during crises—from wildfires to tsunamis—we rely on your support. Please consider becoming a sustaining monthly donor to KMUD News. Your contributions ensure that we can maintain and improve our emergency response capabilities, keeping our community informed when it matters most.
Thank you for your continued support!
Warm regards,
Lauren Schmitt
KMUD News Director
IMPORTANT THANK YOUS!
KMUD News Awarded Prestigious Press Forward Grant to Expand Local Journalism. Thank you, Press Forward!
Thank You, Lori Dengler!
A big thank you to Lori Dengler, Emeritus Professor of Geology at Cal Poly Humboldt, for giving KMUD News a shoutout in her recent Times-Standard article! She wrote:
“Lauren Schmitt at KMUD Radio News is very on top of North Coast happenings, and we were doing a live interview within minutes of the ground quieting down.”
We’re honored to be recognized for our dedication to keeping the community informed during critical moments. You can read her full article, “Ready for the Big One? Thursday’s Quake Shows We Have a Long Way to Go,” here.
Thank you, Lori, for your kind words and for your continued efforts in earthquake preparedness and education!
Listen to our full coverage:
Earthquake Expert Discusses 200 Aftershocks and What Comes Next After M7 Earthquake
Shelter Cove Reflects on the M7 Earthquake: A Community near the Epicenter
A Personal Note:
I wanted to share that I’ll be taking a few weeks off from KMUD to spend some much-needed time with my family. During my absence, Kelley Lincoln and Lisa Music will be covering the news. They are both incredibly talented and dedicated, so the newsroom is in excellent hands!
If you have any questions, tips, or comments for our news team while I’m away, please don’t hesitate to reach out to news@wordpress-1438018-5376424.cloudwaysapps.com.
Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to returning refreshed and ready to serve our amazing community!
