The tsunami is an anomalous wave motion, caused by an underwater earthquake or other events that involve a sudden movement of large bodies of water (volcanic eruptions, submarine landslides, etc.). In Italy the term tsunami from the Latin mare motus is also used. Generally, tsunamis are not particularly threatening, as they occur constantly every day in every part of the world, often in the middle of the oceans. For this reason, most tsunamis do not reach heights higher than those of normal waves breaking on the coasts. In some cases, however, the tsunami develops as potentially destructive waves. If you live in a coastal area, it is imperative that you know what to do in case this situation occurs.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare Early
Step 1. Find out about the evacuation routes in your area
If you live in a coastal area there will probably be evacuation routes, even if you don't know about them or no one talks about them often. Put simply, this is the quickest way to get to an elevated area. It should be at least 1 or 2 km from the coast and 300 m above sea level.
- If you are a tourist ask your hotel or a helpful local person about the evacuation plan if the thought worries you. Familiarize yourself with the marine terraces, so if the worst were to happen you could get away with it. Although you will find yourself following other people, remember that people will head towards a relief and you will have to do the same.
- Escape routes won't work much if you don't practice. So gather your kids, your dog and go! How long does it take to reach the safe zone? Are there any potential problems that could arise? Do you know how to take an alternative route if the other is impractical or congested?
Step 2. Prepare an emergency kit to keep at home, in your workplace and in the car
You may need a kit wherever you may be when the time comes. The worst case scenario is that you are stuck for a few days before the evacuation triggers, so you may need enough groceries for 72 hours. Put a roll of toilet paper, first aid equipment, energy bars, and water in the kit. Here is a list to get started:
- Waterfall
- A prepaid sim in your phone (always make sure your phone has a long battery)
- Packaged or canned food
- Electric torch
- Radio (for updates)
- Sanitary items (toilet paper, wet wipes, garbage bags, zip ties)
- First aid medicines (patches, sterile gauze etc.)
- Whistle
- Map
- Tools (wrench to switch off utilities, can opener)
- Scotch tape
- Spare clothes
- Everything needed by people with specific needs (elderly, small children)
Step 3. Make a plan for communicating with your family
If you're at work, the kids at school, and your wife is home, all the collective plans in the world won't work. Plan where to meet in case a tsunami breaks out while you are in different areas. Buy walkie-talkies and outline a strategy, making sure all parties involved understand the meeting place, regardless of the circumstances.
If you have children at school, familiarize yourself with their institution's rules in case of an emergency. The school may take the children to their own safety zone. Ask the teachers or staff about the rules that are observed in the event of a tsunami
Step 4. Take a first aid course
If your community is affected, the inhabitants will need to rise to the occasion. If you've taken a first aid course, you can perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, take care of common injuries, and help save some lives, including yourself and loved ones.
You can consult the wikiHow [1] category to get an idea, but it is still recommended that you take a course at an official facility, such as a local school, hospital, or neighborhood center. You will be able to help those around you from day one
Step 5. Learn some survival rules
If you know what to do when five feet of water and a car are heading towards you, you will be able to stay calm and, most importantly, survive. These then are the skills to use when your community is in chaos. Were you a scout as a child?
Once you know how to predict a tsunami and what to do when it happens, your primary duty is to pass on your knowledge to other people. If your community doesn't have an emergency program, start one. It is really essential that everyone knows how to behave during these situations
Step 6. Find out about insurance that covers damage caused by unforeseeable natural events
A tsunami insurance is not enough, much better one that covers even in the event of a flood, even if your home is located a kilometer or two from the coast, ask for clarification. In such difficult times the last thing you will want is to worry about rebuilding your life. Insurance eliminates economic worries.
In some countries characterized by violent weather phenomena, such as the United States of America, some people choose to invest money in building a hurricane shelter. It is always best to avoid too much mental anguish, and such a structure represents a considerable drain of worry. Your escape route could lead you there and would be the ideal place to keep your survival kit safe, a kind of home away from home if needed
Part 2 of 3: Recognizing the Signs
Step 1. Remember that an earthquake usually precedes a tsunami
Although it does not happen 100% of the time, an earthquake along the coast usually generates a tsunami. So if you feel the ground under your feet shake, go on alert. The arrival of the tsunami is a matter of hours or minutes. Sometimes it may not quite come.
Tsunamis have a tendency to move. An earthquake that has its epicenter in Alaska can generate a tsunami that hits the coast of Hawaii. It is a rather disturbing aspect but remember that it does not happen frequently as most of the waves lose their energy offshore, in the open sea, away from civilized areas
Step 2. Observe the sea
Usually during a tsunami the water shrinks a lot. The sea seems not very active and the few waves are small and hardly reach the shore. Ships and boats in the vicinity will float up and down. A small wave could reach what would be the shore, but this too will recede in no time. These are reliable signs of an oncoming tsunami.
Look for videos on YouTube, it's really scary! If you are unsure whether the tide is going out (even though we don't have very pronounced tides in Italy), think about it a second time. All that emerged seabed will be really hard to ignore
Step 3. Understand that if you are really sure something is going to happen, you should warn those around you immediately
Evacuate all people on the beach and all areas near the shore. Scream, shout, and go out of your way to get attention. Many people will be enchanted by the strange behavior of the sea and will not realize that there is something strange.
If you are not ready to draw conclusions, observe the animals. How are they doing? Humans are more technologically advanced, but animals know when something is wrong with nature. If they behave in an unusual way, certainly something is going on
Step 4. Remember that the tsunami can consist of more than one wave
The waves can be interspersed with more or less long calm periods. So if the first wave isn't very powerful or very high, don't assume you can go back to the beach and the tsunami was just a hype. Sometimes many people think that the tsunami is over and are injured or hit by the second or third wave.
The tsunami spreads, so a small wave on one side could be a reflection of another much larger wave elsewhere. If you have known that an area has been hit, assume that yours will also be hit, although the danger of the wave could be very different
Part 3 of 3: Taking Action
Step 1. If you are a local, follow your evacuation plan
It depends on the type of tsunami, but sometimes moving 1.5km is not enough as the waves can enter inland for miles. It doesn't happen often, but try to be as safe as possible and expect the worst. Then move away from the water and reach an elevated area.
The ideal would be to reach a natural height, such as a mountain or a hill. The thirty-second floor of a building that is swept away and reduced to rubble is not the best place to be
Step 2. If you are a tourist, run away
The last thing you would expect on a long weekend or relaxing holiday in Thailand is a tsunami, but that doesn't mean this can't happen. You might find yourself casually lying on the beach, with your eyes closed and earphones, and suddenly the tide starts acting like it has a mind of its own. When this happens, flee to the hills.
Even if you have to escape on foot, run. Follow the locals, the tourists are usually the ones who look at the sea with distraction and start running away when it's too late; the locals disappear long before the tourists
Step 3. If you are at sea, head out to sea
Take your boat to the middle of nowhere. You would waste a lot of time returning to shore and docking. Apart from this, in the open sea the waves have enough space to disperse and therefore their violence will decrease exponentially. With this you do not run the risk that the facade of a building or an articulated vehicle will crash into you; you will definitely be safer at sea. Half of the danger of a tsunami lies in the debris it creates, just like during a tornado.
Step 4. Grab your survival kit (if it is handy) and look for some height
This is why you should have a kit in every possible place. So whether you are on foot, by bike or by car, grab the kit and go. Once in a safe area, tune the radio and use the walkie-talkies to contact your family. Are they all heading for a safe area?
Don't forget to take your pets too. Don't leave your pets to fend for themselves. Is there any food in your kit that you can also share with them in case of need?
Step 5. If you get sucked into the tsunami current, don't try to counter it, you could drown
A lot of deadly debris could float around you like cars, trees, or rocks. Try to hold on to one of them or something firmly planted in the ground, such as a pole. If you can't grab a piece of debris, try to dodge them, get out of their path quickly or dodge them by diving as they pass. If you cling to something or are able to escape the wave, you will probably survive.
Simply put, if you can't defeat him, try to interact with him. A tsunami is something caused by nature that you certainly can't resist, so if you get sucked into its force, get carried away. The worst will be over in seconds
Advice
- Prepare your survival kit well in advance to make sure you have everything you might need.
- Always get away from the beach. As far away as possible.
- Always stay on high ground as the water will continue to rise. Don't go downstream too early.
- The sooner you recognize the precursor signs the more lives you will be able to save.
