Tsunami Safety Tips
* A strong earthquake felt in a low-lying coastal area is a natural warning
of possible, immediate danger. Keep calm
and quickly move to higher
ground away from the coast.
* All large earthquakes do not cause tsunamis, but many do. If the quake is
located near or directly under the ocean,
the probability of a tsunami
increases. When you hear that an earthquake has occurred in the ocean
or coastline regions,
prepare for a tsunami emergency.
* Tsunamis can occur at any time, day or night. They can travel up rivers
and streams that lead to the ocean.
* A tsunami is not a single wave, but a series of waves. Stay out of
danger until an "ALL CLEAR" is issued by a competent
authority.
* Approaching tsunamis are sometimes heralded by noticeable rise or fall
of coastal waters. This is nature's tsunami
warning and should be heeded.
* Approaching large tsunamis are usually accompanied by a loud roar that
sounds like a train or aircraft. If a tsunami
arrives at night when you can not see
the ocean, this is also nature's tsunami warning and should be heeded.
* A small tsunami at one beach can be a giant a few miles away. Do not
let modest size of one make you lose respect
for all.
* Sooner or later, tsunamis visit every coastline in the Pacific.
All tsunamis - like hurricanes - are potentially dangerous
even
though they may not damage every coastline they strike.
* Never go down to the beach to watch for a tsunami!
WHEN YOU CAN SEE THE WAVE YOU ARE TOO CLOSE TO
ESCAPE.
Tsunamis can move faster than a person can run!
* During a tsunami emergency, your local emergency management office,
police, fire and other emergency organizations
will try to save your life.
Give them your fullest cooperation.
* Homes and other buildings located in low lying coastal areas
are not safe. Do NOT stay in such buildings if there
is a tsunami
warning.
* The upper floors of high, multi-story, reinforced concrete hotels can
provide refuge if there is no time to quickly
move inland or to higher
ground.
* If you are on a boat or ship and there is time, move your vessel to deeper
water (at least 100 fathoms). If it is
the case that there is concurrent
severe weather, it may may safer to leave the boat at the pier and physically
move
to higher ground.
* Damaging wave activity and unpredictable currents can effect harbor
conditions for a period of time after the tsunami's
initial impact. Be
sure conditions are safe before you return your boat or ship to the harbor.
* Stay tuned to your local radio, marine radio, NOAA Weather Radio, or
television stations during a tsunami emergency
- bulletins issued
through your local emergency management office and National
Weather Service offices can save your
life.
