Tsunami safety is a critical issue for those of us who live on the coast. It is important to all of our residents to know what to do in case we have a tsunami. Given recent events in Sumatra in December of 2004, it is obvious that each of us need to plan for such an event in order to make sure our families can get to a safe place and survive the ensuing time following the disaster and before help manages to get to us.
We have a tsunami warning system in place in Long Beach and it will sound in case of an actual warning. Please remember there are two types of notification, a tsunami watch and a tsunami warning. Your response is still the same, but with the watch we may still not have a verified tsunami and you will have more time to get to a safe place. But please take it seriously and take the appropriate action no matter if it is a watch or warning. The suggested actions are below in the National Weather Service brief.
The following are a number of web-sites dealing with tsunamis and earthquakes. These sites can provide you with a wealth of good information on earthquakes and tsunamis:
http://www.tsunami.noaa.gov/
http://www.ess.washington.edu/tsunami/index.html
http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/events/eventmap.php
West Coast & Alaska Tsunami Warning Center
Handy Reference Card for Web Sites
NWS TsunamiReady: http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/tsunamiready/tready.htm
NWS StormReady: http://www.stormready.noaa.gov
Alaska DES: http://www.ak-prepared.com/
British Columbia EM: http://www.pep.bc.ca/iepc/BCEID/BCEID.html
Washington EMD: http://www.wa.gov/wsem
Oregon OEM: http://www.osp.state.or.us/oem/
California OES: http://www.oes.ca.gov/
National Weather Service: http://www.nws.noaa.gov PMEL: http://tsunami.pmel.noaa.gov FEMA: http://www.fema.gov
In addition we should always be prepared for the possible tsunami events. There are really two kinds of events, the first is the “distant event” which involves an earthquake that takes place a considerable distance from us such as Alaska. In this situation we should have considerable time to take all of the necessary steps to protect ourselves, but one should go immediately to high ground. The other event is a “local event” caused most likely by a subduction zone earth quake off the shore line of Washington or Oregon.
As the tsunami wave travels from the deep-water, continental slope region to the near-shore region, tsunami runup occurs. Runup is a measurement of the height of the water onshore observed above a reference sea level.
Contrary to many artistic images of tsunamis, most tsunamis do not result in giant breaking waves (like normal surf waves at the beach that curl over as they approach shore). Rather, they come in much like very strong and very fast tides (i.e., a rapid, local rise in sea level). Much of the damage inflicted by tsunamis is caused by strong currents and floating debris. The small number of tsunamis that do break often form vertical walls of turbulent water called bores. Tsunamis will often travel much farther inland than normal waves.
Tsunamis will also produce repeat waves, in fact almost all tsunamis have several waves that hit the shore line. So do not think the emergency is over after the first wave, please wait for public officials to give you the all clear and safe to return message. With this situation in mind we should follow the following safety tips from the National Weather Service.
Tsunami Safety Advice
National Weather Service
West Coast & Alaska Tsunami Warning Center
Be Prepared BEFORE a Tsunami Strikes:
- Know the tsunami history and flooding elevation of your area.
- Learn the location of nearest shelter/safe area.
- Learn the safe route(s) to shelter.
- Have on hand emergency supplies for at least three (3) days.
- Keep your emergency supplies in a back pack near your door.
- Know how to turn off your utility mains (if you have time).
- Get basic first aid instruction.
- Have family discussions about tsunamis and evacuation plans.
When a “Tsunami WATCH” is issued for your area:
- This means a dangerous tsunami has not yet been verified. If one exists, it may only be one hour away.
- Frequently monitor radio, Coast Guard emergency frequencies, NOAA Weather Radio, or other reliable sources.
- If you live in a low lying area carefully check your emergency supply kit. Especially remember any special medicine, infant needs, warm clothing, water and cash.
- Locate family members and review evacuation plans.
- If you have special evacuation needs (handicapped, elderly, small children), consider early evacuation.
- Secure important loose objects around your home/business, if time permits.
- Make ready to evacuate.
When a “Tsunami WARNING” is issued for your area:
- This means a dangerous tsunami may have been generated and could be very close! Estimated times of wave arrival are given for selected costal locations.
- If on the beach or near the shoreline: If you feel a strong earthquake, evacuate to higher ground immediately. DO NOT WAIT FOR A FORMAL WARNING.
- If a tsunami is verified, the warning is extended to all Pacific coastlines: Closely monitor radio, Coast Guard emergency frequencies, NOAA Weather Radio, or other reliable sources.
- Follow instructions issued by local officials. Leave immediately if ordered to do so. Remember your emergency kit!
- NEVER go down to the beach to watch for a tsunami!
- Turn off your electric and gas service at the main, only if time permits. Do not use the telephone except in a genuine emergency.
- Once in a safe area, do not return to the hazard zone until a competent LOCAL OFFICIAL has issued an “ALL CLEAR”.
Finally, please make plans and have a tsunami safety or supply kit ready. If you keep nothing else in the kit, have a good flash light, spare batteries and several bottles of water. Of course you can and would want more, but these few things may well save your life.