EMC127  TSUNAMI! How to Survive 3/3 
To:   Emergency Communications Units - Information Bulletin
To:   Emergency Management Agencies via Internet and Radio
By:   Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) of the
      California Governor's Office of Emergency Services  

EMC127  TSUNAMI! How to Survive 3/3    For release 4/14/98

What can I do ahead of time?
1. Make disaster plans now. Talk to the people you live
with about what may happen during a strong earthquake. If
you live or work in a low-lying coastal area, know where
to go to survive a tsunami. Hold earthquake/tsunami drills
at home or at work.
2. Assemble a portable disaster supply kit. Have a kit
available in your car, at home and at work. The kit should
include a portable radio with fresh batteries, water, first
aid supplies, flashlight and extra clothes or a blanket.
Put your kit in a backpack and leave it in a convenient
place.
3. Contact local emergency officials. Find out what areas
are most vulnerable to tsunami hazards, which areas are
safe, and which routes are best for evacuation.
4. Take a first aid class. Learn survival skills, talk
with your family, friends and neighbors. Knowledge is
your greatest defense against any potential disaster.
5. Join a neighborhood emergency response team. Contact
your local Office of Emergency Services to learn whether
there is such a program in your city or county. Or start
one in your own neighborhood.

Remember:
 a..never go to the coast to watch for a tsunami if you
hear a warning has been issued. Tsunamis move faster than
a person can run. Any incoming traffic in the coastal
area hampers safe and timely evacuation.
 b..Tsunamis are not surfable! They are not V-shaped or 
curling waves. Large tsunamis most frequently come ashore
as a rapidly rising turbulent surge of water choked
with debris.
 c..All tsunamis are potentially dangerous, though they
not damage every coastline they strike.
 d..Pacific coastlines are vulnerable. Understand the
hazard and learn how to protect yourself. 

SUMMARY:
 If you feel a strong earthquake when on the coast:
  1. Drop and cover. If possible, get under a sturdy
object and hold on. Watch for falling objects.
  2. As soon as possible after the shaking is over,
move to higher ground or inland. A tsunami may be
coming. Go on foot immediately. DO NOT WAIT FOR AN
OFFICIAL WARNING.
  3. Stay away from the coast. Waves may continue to
arrive for hours.
  4. Listen to your radio for an official "all clear"
before returning to the coastal area.

(end of series from a publication of the California
OES Earthquake Program from the Earthquake Education
Center, Humboldt State University.)

A true tsunami event that happened in Hawaii is in
the next two bulletins. They are dedicated to the
memory of Stanly Harter, KH6GBX. It was his personal
experience. Stan passed away from a sudden heart attack
near his Sacramento home on April 2, l998 after having
left his office at 10:01 pm. Literally, his last message
at 10:00 and 20 seconds was about the ACS program.
_________________________________________________________
Please visit the Web Memorial Page for Stan at
                   www.garlic.com/oes/harter.htm

Interim ACS/EAS Program Manager and  
State Chief ACS Officer Cary Mangum: Cary_Mangum@oes.ca.gov
EOM EMC127