WASHINGTON, D.C. (AHN) -- Federal officials are warning that debris from the earthquake and tsunami that devastated much of Japan nine months ago could soon reach the United States.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said they are trying to figure out how much debris is out in the Pacific Ocean, where it is going and when it will arrive in the states.

NOAA is working with the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the problem.

"We are preparing for the best and worst case scenarios - and everything in between," Nancy Wallace, director of NOAA's Marine Debris Program, said in a statement.

Debris that washed away when the tsunami storm surge receded includes boats, pieces of smashed buildings, appliances and plastic, metal and rubber objects, according to NOAA.

According to the Japanese government, the tsunami generated 25 million tons of rubble. However, they are not sure how much of that was swept into the water or what remained floating.

NOAA computer models show some debris could pass near or wash ashore in northwestern Hawaii as early as this winter, approach the west coast of the United States and Canada in 2013 and circle back to Hawaii in 2014 through 2016.

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