A tsunami is a huge
volume of moving seawater that has nothing to do with tides
although it is sometimes mistakenly called a tidal wave. The
most frequent cause of a tsunami is the buckling of the seafloor
caused by an undersea earthquake. As a tsunami reaches the shore
it gradually slows down and increases in height. The highest
tsunami occur if they encounter a long and gradual shallowing of
the water. When the tsunami reaches land it destroys everything
in its path including buildings, trees, wildlife and people.
Have a
plan
-
Develop a family
emergency plan.
-
Have a family meeting
place that is an elevated inland location.
-
Ask a relative or friend
outside your community to be the emergency contact.
-
If you are visiting an
area at-risk for tsunamis, check with the hotel,
motel or campground operator for tsunami evacuation
information and how you would be warned.
-
Know designated
emergency escape routes before a warning is issued.
Turn
Around, Don't Drown / Safety rules:
- If flooding occurs, get
to higher ground.
- Stay away from
flood-prone areas, including dips, low spots, valleys,
ditches, washes, etc.
- Avoid flooded areas or
those with rapid water flow.
- Do not attempt to cross
a flowing stream.
- It takes only six inches
of fast flowing water to sweep you off your feet.
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