Elizabeth
Oct 1st, 2009
Oct 1st, 2009
How to Survive a Tsunami
SOAR Communications is in no danger of being overtaken by a tsunami, with thousands of miles east and 4,000 feet above the California coast. Still, in this world of unpredictable weather patterns, knowing how to survive a tsunami could be an important life skill. Here are some tips I’ve summarized from Beverly Goodman, PhD., geoarchaeologist and National Geographic Emerging Explorer. Damon Tabor used her as one of his sources in his National Geographic Adventurer article on tsunami preparedness.
- If you live less than 25 feet above sea level or within one mile of the shore, map out an evacuation plan.
- Sign up for early alerts text messaging from the national Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s tsunami warning center.
- Make a “grab-n-go” survival kit readily available.
- Quickly make your way inland to high ground if you see the ocean water dramatically recede.
- Find shelter in a concrete building no less than 10 feet tall.
- If you get caught in the wave, swim hard, keep your legs up and get out of the water asap.
You can read Tabor’s article on tsunami preparedness in the August/September issue of National Geographic Adventurer or find it at adventurer.nationalgeographic.com.
I’m four miles inland from the coast and 500 feet above sea level, but my kids and I spend quite a bit of time in Santa Cruz so we’ve familiarized ourselves with quick egress to nearby safe zones — Santa Cruz County has published a tsunami inundation map. There’s possibly little warning before a tsunami and traffic will be a mess with several tens of thousands of people fleeing for their lives all at once.