Major Disaster Drill To Take Place At Seal Beach Navy Station

SEAL BEACH, CA — Navy officials say they're conducting a major disaster drill next week at the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station and are alerting residents that they may see or hear excessive activity at the base throughout the day.

The simulation, known as the Exercise Citadel Rumble, will take place on Tuesday, July 29.

It is part of a nationwide Navy drill that provides training to military personnel to improve reaction to "no-notice" disaster events, according to officials at the Naval Weapons Station in Seal Beach. It also serves as a reminder to military families on how to prepare for and where to find Navy resources should an actual major disaster occur, according to officials.

In this case, base personnel will be practicing how to respond to large earthquakes and the major infrastructure damage that could come as a result.

As part of the training, Seal Beach residents may hear the station's "Giant Voice," a mass notification loudspeaker, and see heavy first responder activity.

"Simulated mass casualties and role players may also be used," according to Navy officials. "Traffic on civilian streets and the Anaheim Bay public boat channel should not be affected."