Plan for Tsunami

Development of tsunami disaster plan is very important. As people do not respond appropriately, after warning is sounded, the most reliable warning becomes ineffective. Tsunami specific planning should include the following:

1) Contact with local disaster and emergency management office and learn about tsunami risk in your community. Know height of your street, hone or the place you may frequently visit as well as distance of these from the coast or other high risk waters as evacuation orders may be based on these parameters.

2) If you are not in your community and visiting an area having risk from tsunamis, contact with the hotel, motel or campground operators for tsunami warning and evacuation information and how one would be warned. Designated escape routes should be known before a warning is issued.

3) Plan an evacuation route from the place where you may present during tsunami risk. If possible, select an area 100ft above sea level or go up to two miles inland, away from the coastline. If such place is not available, go as high as you can. As every foot upwards or inland make you safer. The safe location should be such that within 15 minutes you can reach their on foot. Be prepared to further evacuation by foot if necessary as after a disaster, roads may become impassable or blocked.

4) Follow footpaths as it normally lead to uphill and inland. But many roads may parallel to coastlines. Local emergency management officials can also advice you to learn best route to take safe shelter.

5) Practicing the evacuation routes, may familiar you with the routes and can help saving your life. Be able to follow the route at night and during stormy and very cold weather. These help you to take a response quickly without requiring less thinking during actual emergency situation.

6) Listen weather report which will warn you of potential danger.

7) Talk to insurance agent. Homeowners’ policies do not cover flooding from a tsunami. Ask about National Flood Insurance Program.

8) Review flood safety and preparedness measures with your family. Tsunami is nothing but a large amount of water that crush onto the coastline, creating floods.

9) Discuss with your family what to do when all family members are not together. These will help reducing fear and anxiety during actual situation.

Protection for properties

Protection for properties can be made by taking following steps:

a) Avoid building or living in building within several hundred feet of the coastline. These areas are more likely to suffer damage from tsunamis, strong winds, or coastal storms.

b) Make a list of items to bring inside in the event of a tsunami. This list help you remember anything missing that can be swept away by tsunami waters.

c) Most tsunami waves are less than 10 feet. So elevating house will help reduce damage to your property from most tsunamis.

d) Consult with a professional for advice to derive waves away from your property.

e) Take help from engineers to check your home and make it more resistant to tsunami water. Improperly built walls may make situation worse.