BOM’s ‘tsunami warning’ sparks alarm

The Bureau of Meteorology has sparked confusion across the country after sending out a test alert on its new tsunami warning system.

The BOM reiterated there was no tsunami threat to Australia after it made test posts on the BOM weather app between 11am and midday.

The bureau said it was part of a planned transition to a new tsunami warning system.

BOM marine and Antarctic manager James Taylor said test warnings were issued to the public via the BOM weather app in error as part of their testing process.

Mr Taylor said the test warnings were cancelled immediately after they were issued, and the bureau acknowledged and apologised for any confusion it caused.

“Testing ensures the bureau and partners are prepared for real tsunami threats, so we know the warning system works when we need it,” he said.

“Ensuring the system functions correctly is crucial so we can issue warnings when necessary and avoid sending false alerts in the future.”

Mr Taylor said they were now investigating how the error occurred as part of their testing process.

“The bureau remains focused on providing Australians with the latest forecasts and warnings via our website and BOM weather app to help keep communities safe and prepare in the event of an emergency.”

In a statement from the bureau, a spokesperson said test warnings were sent to the BOM Weather app for various locations. “The test warnings were cancelled immediately after they were issued,” the spokesperson said.

“Testing is important to help the Bureau and partners prepare and plan for real tsunami threats.

“The Bureau is part of the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC) and this is operated 24 hours a day to detect, monitor, verify and warn of any tsunami threats to the coastline of Australia and its offshore territories.”

The bureau on Wednesday morning tweeted that it would soon issued test posts on the tsunami early warning system and urged people to “Please disregard this post.”

But it still caused confusion among some people.

One person posted on Twitter: “Don’t scare me like that @BOM_au”.

Another said: The @BOM_au just sent messages across my iPad ‘cancelling the Tsunami warning’ for #Canberra!!!”