what should you do in the event of a tsunami?

1 WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IN THE EVENT OF A TSUNAMI? From: Surviving a Tsunami—Lessons from Chile, Hawaii and Japan (Atwater et all, USGS Circular 1187) 1. Heed natural warnings. If you are at the beach and feel a strong earthquake, assume that a tsunami is likely. If you notice the water suddenly recede (or advance) quickly, this is a tsunami in action. Head to high ground as quickly as possible. 2. Heed official warnings. Play it safe, even if warnings seem ambiguous or you think the danger has passed. 3. Expect many waves. The next wave may be bigger, and the tsunami may last for hours. 4. Abandon belongings. Save your life, not your possessions. 5. Head for high ground. Move uphill or inland, away from the coast and stay there. Go to an upper floor or roof of a building. If you are trapped or there isn’t time to reach high ground inland, go to an upper story of a sturdy building. If an earthquake occurs nearby, the tsunami may arrive quickly. Climb a tree. As a last resort, climb up a strong tree. 6. Climb onto something that floats. If swept up by a tsunami look for something to use as raft. 7. Don’t count on the roads. When fleeing a tsunami caused by a nearby earthquake, you may find roads broken or blocked. 8. Expect the waves to leave debris. 9. Expect quakes to lower coastal land. A large earthquake can leave nearby coastal areas lowered, allowing tidal water to flood them. [On rare occasions the land could be lifted up instead.] 10. Expect company. Shelter your neighbors. From: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/itic/library/pubs/great_waves/tsunami_great_waves_12.html … IF YOU ARE ON A SHIP OR BOAT - Do not return to port if you are at sea and a tsunami warning has been issued for your area. - If there is time to move your boat or ship from port to deep water (after you know a tsunami warning has been issued), you should weigh the following considerations: - Most large harbors and ports are under the control of a harbor authority and/or a vessel traffic system. These authorities direct operations during periods of increased readiness (should a tsunami be expected), including the forced movement of vessels if necessary. Keep in contact with the authorities. - Smaller ports may not be under the control of a harbor authority. If you are aware there is a tsunami warning and you have time to move your vessel to deep water, then you may want to do so in an orderly manner, in consideration of other vessels. Owners of small boats may find it safest to leave their boat at the pier and physically move to higher ground, particularly in the event of a locally-generated tsunami. Concurrent severe weather conditions (rough seas outside of the harbor) could present a greater hazardous situation to small boats, so physically moving yourself to higher ground may be the only option. - Damaging wave activity and unpredictable currents can affect harbors for a period of time following the initial tsunami impact on the coast. Contact the harbor authority before returning to port making sure to verify that conditions in the harbor are safe for navigation and berthing.

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Page 1: WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IN THE EVENT OF A TSUNAMI?

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IN THE EVENT OF A TSUNAMI?From: Surviving a Tsunami—Lessons from Chile, Hawaii and Japan(Atwater et all, USGS Circular 1187)

1. Heed natural warnings. If you are at the beach and feel astrong earthquake, assume that a tsunami is likely. If younotice the water suddenly recede (or advance) quickly, this isa tsunami in action. Head to high ground as quickly as possible.

2. Heed official warnings. Play it safe, even if warnings seemambiguous or you think the danger has passed.

3. Expect many waves. The next wave may be bigger, andthe tsunami may last for hours.

4. Abandon belongings. Save your life, not your possessions.5. Head for high ground. Move uphill or inland, away from the

coast and stay there. Go to an upper floor or roof of a building. If you are trapped or there isn’t time to reachhigh ground inland, go to an upper story of a sturdy building. If an earthquake occurs nearby, thetsunami may arrive quickly.Climb a tree. As a last resort, climb up a strong tree.

6. Climb onto something that floats. If swept up by a tsunami look for something to use as raft.7. Don’t count on the roads. When fleeing a tsunami caused by a nearby earthquake, you may

find roads broken or blocked.8. Expect the waves to leave debris.9. Expect quakes to lower coastal land. A large earthquake can leave nearby coastal areas

lowered, allowing tidal water to flood them. [On rare occasions the land could be lifted up instead.]10. Expect company. Shelter your neighbors.

From: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/itic/library/pubs/great_waves/tsunami_great_waves_12.html

… IF YOU ARE ON A SHIP OR BOAT- Do not return to port if you are at sea and a tsunami warning has been issued for your area.

- If there is time to move your boat or ship from port to deep water (after you know a tsunami warning has beenissued), you should weigh the following considerations:

- Most large harbors and ports are under the control of a harbor authority and/or a vessel traffic system. Theseauthorities direct operations during periods of increased readiness (should a tsunami be expected), including theforced movement of vessels if necessary. Keep in contact with the authorities.

- Smaller ports may not be under the control of a harbor authority. If you are aware there is a tsunami warning andyou have time to move your vessel to deep water, then you may want to do so in an orderly manner, inconsideration of other vessels. Owners of small boats may find it safest to leave their boat at the pier andphysically move to higher ground, particularly in the event of a locally-generated tsunami. Concurrent severeweather conditions (rough seas outside of the harbor) could present a greater hazardous situation to small boats,so physically moving yourself to higher ground may be the only option.

- Damaging wave activity and unpredictable currents can affect harbors for a period of time followingthe initial tsunami impact on the coast. Contact the harbor authority before returning to port making sureto verify that conditions in the harbor are safe for navigation and berthing.