Mr Smith said the timing of the exercise had worked out well for the Whanganui Civil Defence team.
"From September through to December residents in the coastal areas of our region, including Horowhenua, Manawatu, Rangitikei, Tararua and Whanganui, will see tsunami evacuation zone information and evacuation route signs put in place.
"This project has been funded by the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management and will provide very visible reminders of what action to take if a tsunami is possible," he said.
He said during the exercise the centre staff will focus using the national emergency management information system (EMIS) with a view to declaring it fully operational by year's end.
"It will also identify if any improvements need to be made to our recently reviewed tsunami plans for the Whanganui district. And it will let us look at alternative public warning systems instead of traditional 'door knocking' teams."