Recently, the National Weather Service issued a Tsunami warning along the coasts of both Northern California and Southern Oregon, which extends to around 500 miles or 800 km. The areas include about 4.7 million people. However, about 90 minutes later, the Tsunami warning was called off because of a strong 7.0 magnitude earthquake. On Thursday, the earthquake hit off the coast of a sparsely populated area of Northern California. The epicenter of the quake struck near the town of Ferndale, California which is 260 miles north of San Francisco. After this, the low-lying areas were prompted to evacuate due to the Tsunami warning which was later rescinded. Authorities have reported no major damage, injuries, or deaths in the aftermath of the earthquake. In Humboldt County, many stores reported things falling down from the shelves and power outages for many residents. Though the Tsunami warning has been canceled, but people are curious to know how they can survive if a Tsunami hits the region. So, in this article, we will tell what steps and measures you can take in order to survive a Tsunami in California.
Protect Yourself From The Earthquake
As we all know, Tsunamis are prompted by earthquakes. So, the very first step to surviving a Tsunami in California is to protect yourself from an earthquake. You can do so by following the steps, Drop, Cover, and Hold On. If you are inside some place or your home, make sure to drop yourself under a table or another object, cover your head and neck with something, and stay there until the situation gets better.
If you are outside, safely go to a clear region or area that is far away from trees, beaches, cliffs, power lines, or other hazards and drop yourself on the ground.
If you are someone who has difficulty with movements and cannot go down by yourself during an earthquake, then do not try to do that forcibly. Instead, stay at the place where you are, protect your head and neck with your arms or some other thing and hold on to something sturdy and stable.
Move Up To A Ground Which Is Higher
Now, after an earthquake, there is a high chance that a Tsunami can affect the areas that are close to the coast. As soon as you feel that it is safe to move, you should go to higher ground. People should not wait for an official Tsunami warning because it can put their lives in danger. Also, stay away from fallen power lines and bridges as they can be dangerous and put your life at risk. Further, if you are in an area that is not at risk for Tsunamis, then stay there because it’s safer.
Stay On The High Ground Until The Coastal Areas Become Safe
In case a Tsunami warning has been issued across the coastal areas and you have already moved up to higher ground, then stay in that high place because Tsunami waves can keep coming for eight hours or more. It is advised by the weather officials to go back to the coastal areas only when it is announced safe.
Ways To Find Out If Tsunami Is Coming Or Not
One of the most important step in protecting yourself from a Tsunami is to find out whether it is coming in your area or not. Now, it can be seen by first, Natural Warning and second, Official Warning.
Natural Warning- This type of warning includes loud ocean roar, strong ground shaking and water receding at a fast pace and exposing the floor of the sea. All these are nature’s warnings that a Tsunami is coming and if you observe any of these signs, you should immediately go to a higher level or ground. It is reported that a Tsunami can arrive in minutes and might last for more than eight hours. The officials advise to stay away from the coastal areas until they announce that the areas have become safe.
Official Warning- When a Tsunami warning is issued by official weather authorities through radio, television, text message, door-to-door contact by emergency responders, outdoor sirens, and NOAA weather radios, they are called official warnings. When these are issued, people should move away from the beaches, and follow the directions of emergency personnel who advise to evacuate the low-lying coastal areas. Official warnings are very important and people should respond to whichever comes first.
How To Determine When To Evacuate A Place
In surviving a Tsunami after an earthquake, evacuation is one of the most important steps. However, it should not be done without thinking. Firstly, it is important to check whether or not you are in a danger zone. Secondly, think about the risks you might face while you are on the way to a safer place such as damaged roads.
Check if you are living, working, or playing in a Tsunami Hazard Zone before evacuating.
Keep a close track of how long the earthquake lasts. If the ground shakes strongly for more than 20 seconds and at that time, you are in a Tsunami danger area, then you should quickly move to a safe place once it is safe to move around.
If you are on a beach or in a harbor and feel that an earthquake is coming, no matter a small one, you should immediately move to a higher ground so that you can survive. Also, avoid bridges and roads as they can be damaged.
In case you are in a building and evacuation is nearly impossible, then you should move to the upper floors of the sturdy building. If you see a tree outside the building, try to climb it but this should be the last option.
If you do not feel a strong earthquake but a Tsunami warning has been issued, get more information about it by closely listening to the radio, television, or other information sources. Also, make sure to follow the instructions given by the emergency personnel.
There is no need for evacuation if you are staying at a place which is outside of a Tsunami Hazard Zone because it is safer to be there.
Prepare In Advance For Surviving A Tsunami
Being prepared in advance is very important because how you prepare will directly affect how you recover. So, to prepare in advance for Tsunamis and earthquakes, a person should-
Learn about the Tsunami evacuation routes in your country, city, and region, and also identify the safety zones near your area. After this, decide your primary and secondary Tsunami evacuation route.
If a person is living in a Tsunami Hazard Zone, then they should get a NOAA weather radio with a public alert feature, for both home and office. This will provide alerts even if it is switched off.
Prepare a small evacuation kit that will have all the necessary items such as medications, important documents, a flashlight, batteries, portable NOAA weather radio, warm clothes, water bottles, and some snacks. Also, keep a silver space blanket in your kit which can be used to signal the location to search teams.
Prepare a foolproof plan in advance with your family and friends in case you get separated. Choose a meeting place and time to reunite. Also, make sure to alert a friend or family member who is living outside the state so that they can provide the necessary help.
If you have any kind of disabilities or special needs, then you should plan well ahead of time. If you will need any kind of help with evacuating, you should ask your neighbors to assist you and help with things such as wheelchairs or any other medical equipment. Also, if you have trouble with movements, make sure to allow extra time so that evacuation can be done safely.
Make sure to draw out a proper strategy for the protection and safety of your pets such as dogs and cats.
Where To Go In Case Of A Tsunami
Another important step in surviving a Tsunami is to decide where to go if this happens in your area. All the California coastal counties have Tsunami hazard guidance maps and also post Tsunami hazard zone signs. These signs as well as the maps help in determining which areas are safe to stay in and which ones are at greater risk. People should use these so that they can reach the safe area. In case there are no maps or signs available, then go to an area that is 100 feet above sea level or 2 miles inland, away from the coastal area. If going this high is not possible, you should go as high as possible because every foot inland or upwards would make an impact on your safety.
