Puerto Rico’s Capitol District received the official TsunamiReady Supporter designation, becoming the first state capitol in the world to earn this recognition for its tsunami preparedness, education, and response efforts. The certificate was issued by the National Weather Service, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the U.S. Department of Commerce, and was received by Capitol Superintendent Jazmín Y. Orengo Pacheco.
She said the goal is to document processes so future administrations can continue and strengthen the work, noting that many staff remain in the institution despite changes in leadership. The certification document was signed by Ernesto Morales, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service in San Juan, who emphasized continuing long-term education on tsunamis and other natural hazards, including earthquakes and hurricanes.
The Capitol District comprises five entities: the Puerto Rico Senate, the House of Representatives, the Capitol Superintendency, the Office of Legislative Services, and the Legislative Assembly’s Budget Office (OPAL). The Capitol sees a daily floating population of about 3,000 people, including employees and visiting tourists.