99TravelSafe.com
73 – Tsunami Safety Tips!
The Website For The Smart and Savvy Traveler
TSUNAMIS can be very dangerous and cause significant damage!
They can come in as a series of inundating waves, with the second wave often much larger than the first!
TSUNAMI INFORMATION means a message with information about an earthquake that is NOT expected to generate a tsunami. Usually, only one bulletin is issued!
TSUNAMI ADVISORY means an earthquake has occurred in the ocean basin, which MIGHT generate a tsunami in the region!
TSUNAMI WATCH means a tsunami was or may have been generated, but is at least TWO hours travel time to the area in watch status.
TSUNAMI WARNING means a tsunami was or may have been generated, which could cause damage; therefore, people in the warned area are STRONGLY advised to evacuate!
Local officials should prepare for possible evacuation if their area is upgraded to a warning!
Be familiar with the tsunami warning signs. A strong earthquake lasting 20 seconds or more near the coast may generate a tsunami!
A noticeable rapid rise or fall in coastal waters is also a sign that a tsunami is approaching!
Tsunamis most frequently come onshore as a rapidly rising turbulent surge of water choked with debris. They are not V-shaped or rolling waves, and are not "surfable."
Tsunamis may be locally generated OR from a distant source.
They are able to travel thousands of miles in the ocean and still do serious damage!
If you are visiting an area at risk from tsunamis, check with the hotel, motel, or campground operators for tsunami evacuation information and how you would be warned. It is important to know designated escape routes BEFORE a warning is issued!
If possible, pick an area 100 FEET above sea level or go up to TWO miles inland, AWAY from the coastline. If you can't get this high or far, go as high as you CAN! Every foot inland or upwards may make a difference.
You should be able to reach your safe location on foot within 15 minutes!
After a disaster, roads may become impassable or blocked!
Be prepared to evacuate by foot if necessary. Footpaths normally lead uphill and inland, while many roads parallel coastlines. Follow posted tsunami evacuation routes; these will lead to safety!
Local emergency management officials can help advise you as to the best route to safety and likely shelter locations!
Practice your evacuation route! Familiarity may save your life. Be able to follow your escape route at night and during inclement weather. Practicing your plan makes the appropriate response more of a reaction, requiring less thinking during an actual emergency situation!
What to Do if You Feel a Strong Coastal Earthquake;
If you feel an earthquake that lasts 20 seconds or longer when you are on the coast: Drop, cover, and hold on. You should first protect yourself from the earthquake!
When the (earthquake) shaking stops, gather your family members and evacuate quickly!
Leave everything else behind. A tsunami may be coming within minutes. Move quickly to higher ground away from the coast!
Be careful to avoid downed power lines and stay away from buildings and bridges from which heavy objects might fall during an aftershock.
What to Do When a Tsunami WATCH is Issued;
Listen to radio or other reliable sources for updated emergency information. As the energy of a tsunami is transferred through open waters, a tsunami is NOT detectable!
Seismic action may be the only advance warning before the tsunami approaches the coastline!
Locate family members and review evacuation plans! Make sure everyone knows there is a potential threat and the best way to safer ground!
If you have special evacuation needs (small children, elderly people, or persons with disabilities) consider early evacuation. Evacuation may take longer, allow extra time!
Be ready to evacuate! Being prepared will help you to move more quickly if a tsunami warning is issued.
What to Do When a Tsunami WARNING is Issued;
Listen to radio or other reliable sources for updated emergency information! Authorities will issue a warning only if they believe there is an IMMINENT threat from a tsunami!
Follow instructions issued by local authorities!
If you are asked to evacuate, lock up your home or work and follow the recommended evacuation routes. WALK to safety if possible to avoid traffic jams!
Recommended evacuation routes may be different from the one you use, or you may be advised to climb higher.
If you are in a tsunami risk area, do the following;
Look for Official Warnings! OFFICIAL tsunami warnings are broadcast on local radio and television, marine radio, wireless emergency alerts, NOAA Weather Radio, and NOAA websites!
Look for NATURAL warnings: A tsunami could be coming if you experience any of these natural warnings:
-- A strong or long earthquake
-- A sudden rise or fall of the ocean
-- A loud roar from the ocean
-- Do NOT go to the coast to watch the tsunami. There's a possibility of dangerous, localized land inundation!
If you hear an official tsunami warning or detect signs of a tsunami, evacuate AT ONCE! A tsunami warning is issued when authorities are certain that a tsunami threat exists, and there may be little time to get out.
Get to higher ground as far inland as possible! Officials cannot reliably predict either the height or local effects of tsunamis.
If there's no time to get to higher ground, shelter on the upper level of a sturdy brick or concrete building.
Stay in a safe place: Stay in a safe place until you're advised it's safe to leave!
Watching a tsunami from the beach or cliffs could put you in GRAVE DANGER! If you can see the wave, you are too close to escape it!
Return to your hotel ONLY after local officials tell you it is safe. A tsunami is a series of waves that may continue for hours! Do not assume that after one wave the danger is over. The next wave may be larger than the first one!
What to Do AFTER a Tsunami;
Continue listening to radio or other reliable sources for emergency information! The tsunami may have damaged roads, bridges, or other places that may be unsafe!
Help injured or trapped persons. Give first aid where appropriate. Call for help! Do NOT move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury!
HELP people who may require special assistance. Infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities. People who care for them or who have large families may need additional assistance in emergency situations!
Use the telephone ONLY for emergency calls. Telephone lines are frequently overwhelmed in disaster situations. They need to be clear for emergency calls to get through!
Stay OUT of your building if water remains around it! Tsunami waters, like flood waters, can undermine foundations, causing buildings to sink, floors to crack, or walls to collapse!.
When re-entering buildings, hotels or homes, use extreme caution!
Tsunami-driven flood waters may have damaged buildings where you least expect it! CAREFULLY watch every step you take!
Wear sturdy shoes! The most common injury following a disaster is cut feet!
Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights when examining buildings!
Battery-powered lighting is the safest and easiest, preventing fire hazard for the user, occupants, and building!
Examine walls, floors, doors, staircases, and windows to make sure that your building is not in danger of collapsing!
Inspect foundations for cracks or other damage. Cracks and damage to a foundation can render a building uninhabitable.
Look for fire hazards! There may be broken or leaking gas lines, flooded electrical circuits, or submerged furnaces or electrical appliances!
Flammable or explosive materials may come from upstream.
Fire is the most frequent hazard following floods!
Check for gas leaks! If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly LEAVE your building!
Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell burning insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker!
Electrical equipment should be checked and dried before being returned to service!
Check for sewage and water line damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call for help!
If water pipes are damaged avoid using water from the tap.
You can obtain safe water from undamaged water heaters or by melting ice cubes!
Use tap water if local health officials advise it is safe!
Watch out for animals, especially snakes, which may have come into buildings with the water. Use a stick to poke through debris.
Watch for loose plaster, drywall, and ceilings that could fall.
Open the windows and doors to help dry the building.
Any food that has come in contact with flood waters may be contaminated and should be thrown OUT!