This is a guest post from someone whom I know as Empress Of Drac.
Basic Survival Guideline during Tsunamis
The images of the 2004 Asian Tsunami gave everyone with a television terrifying insights to the damage and destruction tsunamis can cause. This tsunami, one of the greatest modern natural disasters, resulted in over 200,000 people missing and dead.
Earthquakes and Tsunamis
The primary cause of a tsunami is an earthquake. The Asian Tsunami of 2004 was caused by the second largest recorded earthquake ever, a 9.3 on the Richter scale. Like their primary cause, tsunamis can occur at any time, in any coastal area and in any season. Depending on the location of the causal quake, warning times for a pending tsunami can be from minutes to hours. There may be a warning of a pending tsunami by an unnatural rise or fall of waters along the coastline.
When it does arrive, a tsunami is actually a succession of waves, not one tidal wave. The pressure of the waves pushes great quantities of water from the ocean onto the shore. Water will rush up rivers and tidal areas, often resulting in damage miles inland.
Preparation for Tsunamis
Disaster preparedness for people living in coastal areas should include preparation for surviving tsunamis. It surprises many to learn that over 350 people have been killed in the 24 tsunamis that have struck the U.S. in the past 24 years. Since significant earthquakes can occur anywhere and anytime, no coastal areas are immune from the threat.
The speed of tsunamis means that if you see a wave coming, you are too late; it isn't possible to outrun it. This reality puts immense importance on advance planning. Understanding how and when tsunami warnings are used in your community is a first step. High ground (at least 100 feet) is really the only protection against the onrushing waters. Plan evacuation routes from work, school and home. Routes should be chosen that get to high ground in the shortest period of time. At the first notice of an earthquake that might generate a tsunami in the area, begin the evacuation process.
Because of the overwhelming damage of a tsunami, it is highly desirable to have an evacuation kit placed in an accessible place on high ground. Short of that, a tsunami survival kit will have to be light and very portable for rapid evacuation. An emphasis should be given to mobile phones, food, flashlights (with extra batteries) and basic medicines. Lightweight food packets such as those available at foodinsurance.com provide the most meals for weight carried. Also, include waterproof copies of personal identification, carried by each individual.
Disaster relief for a tsunami can be expected rapidly in all but the most remote areas. That puts the importance on being able to feed your family during the first 24 hours after the disaster.
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