| |
Plan for a Tsunami
Develop a Family Disaster Plan. Tsunami-specific planning should include the following:
Learn about tsunami risk in your community. Contact your local emergency management office or Red Cross chapter. Find out if your home, school, workplace or other frequently visited locations are in tsunami hazard areas. Know the height of your street above sea level and the distance of your street from the coast or other high-risk waters. Evacuation orders may be based on these numbers.
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 you are at risk from tsunamis, do the following:
Plan an evacuation route from your home, school, workplace, or any other place you'll be where tsunamis present a risk. 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.
Use a radio to keep informed of local watches and warnings.
Talk to your insurance agent. Homeowners' policies do not cover flooding from a tsunami. Ask about flood insurance.
Discuss tsunami with your family. Everyone should know what to do in case all family members are not together. Discussing tsunamis ahead of time will help reduce fear and anxiety, and let everyone know how to respond. Review flood safety and preparedness measures with your family.
Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit
Please see the section "Disaster Supplies Kit" for general supplies kit information. Tsunami-specific supplies should include the following:
Evacuation Supplies Kit in an easy-to-carry container (backpack) near your door
Disaster Supplies Kit basics
How to Protect Your Property
- Avoid building or living in buildings within several hundred feet of the coastline. These areas are more likely to experience damage from tsunamis, strong winds, or coastal storms.
- Make a list of items to bring inside in the event of a tsunami. A list will help you remember anything that can be swept away by tsunami waters.
- Elevate coastal homes. Most tsunami waves are less than 10 feet. Elevating your house will help reduce damage to your property from most tsunamis.
- Follow flood preparedness precautions. Tsunamis are large amounts of water that crash onto the coastline, creating floods.
- Have an engineer check your home and advise about ways to make it more resistant to tsunami water. There may be ways to divert waves away from your property. Improperly built walls could make your situation worse. Consult with a professional for advice.
|
