| The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake killed more | | | | 4.Evacuate those with special needs first - If you |
| than 225,000 people in eleven countries and | | | | have family members who have special needs like |
| inundated coastal communities with waves up to | | | | elderly people, small children or infants and those |
| 30 meters or 100 feet. It was one of the | | | | with disabilities, you might want to evacuate early. |
| deadliest natural disasters in | | | | You might also want to prepare your pets for |
| history.India,Indonesia,Sri Lanka and Thailand were | | | | moving, so bring emergency supplies for them as |
| the hardest hit. | | | | well. |
| Tsunamis used to be the stuff of movies and until | | | | 4.Check your emergency supply kits and bring |
| its devastation in Asia in 2004.Most people did not | | | | them with you - It would be a good idea if they |
| think it was possible for tsunamis to occur in that | | | | had been regularly restocked but if not, take |
| magnitude. After the Indian Ocean tsunami in | | | | what you can or get what is needed if you still |
| 2004, people have become aware of the risk and | | | | have the time and opportunity. Otherwise, opt to |
| possible consequences of this natural calamity. | | | | get water, food and extra clothes instead. |
| What is a tsunami - Tsunamis are not caused by | | | | 5.You might want to secure your house, but |
| strong winds but by tectonic displacements | | | | remember that this is the last priority - Your life |
| (earthquakes, volcano eruptions, landslides) that | | | | and that of your family's are the most important |
| occur on the seafloor. Earthquakes that produce | | | | considerations during a tsunami emergency. |
| tsunamis are those that reach 6.5 or more on the | | | | Expect items in your house to be swept away |
| Richter scale. The average speed of the waves is | | | | and if you could still secure them, do so. |
| 300 mph and can last from 5 minutes to an hour. | | | | Tsunami Watch vs. Tsunami Warning - A tsunami |
| In open sea, tsunamis usually go unnoticed, having | | | | watch is different from a tsunami warning. A |
| amplitudes of just 1 meter or even less. | | | | tsunami watch means that the presence of a |
| However, in some situations, waves that enter | | | | dangerous tsunami is not yet confirmed or |
| shallow water can swell to several feet and in | | | | verified, although it is possible there is one. It also |
| some rare cases, rise high enough to strike | | | | includes predictions on what time the tsunami is |
| coastal areas with terrible force. | | | | expected and where it will possibly strike. |
| Who's at risk - People who live in coastal areas | | | | A tsunami warning means that there is a |
| located along or near the Pacific Ocean are most | | | | confirmed tsunami in your area and it could be |
| prone to tsunamis. This area is most vulnerable | | | | close. The warning will include the time at which |
| because of seismic activity in what is called the | | | | the tsunami is expected and which areas are |
| Ring of Fire. It has also occurred in Puerto Rico, | | | | affected. |
| Alaska, Hawaii and the Virgin Islands.What what | | | | When the tsunami is about to hit you - If you find |
| should we do in a tsunami emergency? | | | | yourself under the mercy of an incoming wave, |
| 1.Leave the water immediately - When a strong | | | | climb onto the rooftop of your house or on the |
| earthquake is felt, leave the water immediately, | | | | highest point of the nearest structure and brace |
| get to shore and go as far away as you can | | | | yourself. Hold on tightly to anything that's strong |
| from the beach, fast. If your location allows it, go | | | | and stable enough. Climb a tree if you have to |
| to a higher ground. If the area you are in is | | | | and don not let go. |
| mostly flat, go as far inland as you can. If you | | | | When the tsunami has hit you - If you're already |
| can spot the wave, you are too close to escape | | | | in the water, grab a floating object that can hold |
| it, regardless of its apparent distance. | | | | your weight and hold onto it until you can reach |
| 2.Tune in to your local radio station - the weather | | | | stable ground or when help is available. Grab onto |
| radio or turn on the TV for news and updates. | | | | anything that is firm and strive to get out of the |
| They will inform you if there is a tsunami watch | | | | water as much as possible. The current will be |
| or warning issued in your area and where the | | | | strong and there could be heavy and sharp debris |
| emergency centers are. | | | | in the water that could crash into you. |
| 3.Locate all members of your family and make | | | | Tsunamis, like most things nature produces, are |
| sure everyone is informed - Agree on a place to | | | | uncontrollable. The only advantage is that they do |
| meet in case you're not together and make sure | | | | come with a warning,such as a strong earthquake. |
| it's safe and as far away from the shore as | | | | The only way to survive it is to be prepared, be |
| possible. | | | | ready to go and to keep your wits about you. |