How Do You Survive A Tsunami?

Tsunamis are large ocean waves produced by earthquakes beneath the ocean floor. It can rise to several feet and can cause massive force that can wipe out coastal areas. It can occur within minutes of a massive earthquake at any given time, day, or even at night.

How do you survive a tsunami? First, survive an earthquake. After the earthquake, find a high ground even if the tsunami has not occurred. When the authorities announce the possibility of a tsunami, it could be mere minutes away, so make sure to find a secure place to hide.

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You will be able to learn the things you need to know about a tsunami in this article and some tips you need to follow to ensure your survival.

Things You Should Know About Tsunami

A tsunami is a natural disaster that happens after a major earthquake beneath the ocean floor. One thing to look out for is to check the seafloor. If you noticed an unusual lowering of ocean water, it might be a tsunami warning. This type of scenario is a drawback, which means the water will surge back in a very strong manner.

Tsunamis are not like the coastal waves. They are more likely to be a river in flood or a force of water running down the mountain that is filled with debris. Tsunamis can reach up to 20 to 50 feet along the coast. Beware that the first surge won’t be the highest, but it can still have a significant impact.

Tsunami Safety Tips

Tsunami is a very destructive force of waves with debris, so it is one of the deadliest calamities there is. With approximately 30 miles an hour and can rise more than 100 feet, it can pose such danger to mankind, especially those who are living in the coastal area.

The vital step in making sure you survive a tsunami incident or any other natural disaster is to know how vulnerable your location is at the moment. A lot of government marks certain places that are prone to tsunamis, and they have evacuation plans and routes for communities at risk.

Get Into High Ground

It is very important to assess first where you are when the earthquake happens. If you’re on a boat in an open ocean, you stay there, it is safe to say that you will be floating around everywhere but also be mindful of your surrounding as waves can be predictable.

If you’re on land, get yourself out of the coastal area. Drop everything you’re doing and get the hell out of there as soon as you can! If you can, try to reach 100 feet above sea level or at least 2 miles away from the ocean.

It is advisable to have had a disaster kit. It can be helpful in times of trouble and can save you a lot during these tough times. Normally if you live in a coastal area, there will be a designated evacuation center. They usually will allocate places that are 20 feet above sea level, and if you can move uphill, it will be your safe place.

Find Shelter

Let’s face it. When you’re in the midst of a tsunami outbreak, your mind has a mind of its own, and most of the time, you won’t be able to think straight. And in the middle of panic, you won’t get to high ground in time. It is where vertical tsunami shelter will come in handy.

This kind of shelter is sturdy enough to be able to withstand the force of incoming waves, and yes, it needs to be tall and high to clear the danger zones. They are normally placed in locations where lots of people can easily locate it.

Not all vertical shelters are available. It depends on the city you’re in, but if there’s no safe haven for you, all you need to find is a sturdy building, make sure it is reinforced with concrete. Climb into it as much as possible until you read the top floor.

Hang On

As tsunami are unpredictable, worst-case scenario, you have to grab any piece of floating debris. Most of the time, people grabbed pieces of wood or roofs and then climbing on them, making it like a raft. This way, you can still survive even though you’re facing the harsh waves a tsunami can bring.

Tsunamis come in with multiple waves. The first wave must not be big, but that doesn’t mean the dilemma is over. There will always a follow-up wave. If you find yourself on top of a building or top of a high tree, you should probably stay there for three to four hours to be sure that it was all gone.

After A Tsunami

It is important to be mindful of your surroundings once the waves have stopped. Stay out of damaged areas and downed power lines. Stay alert, although usually, disaster experts will be handling all announcements and evacuation zones where you can find shelter and food.

It is very important to connect to people you know, find out they are safe. Let them know you are okay. There’s a website where you can register yourself that you are well and alive. This way, people can look at it and find comfort to know that their loved ones are safe.

Continue listening to local news and announcement if there are people around you who are injured, practice Check, Call, Care. Check the scene if you are safe to approach the injured. Call for help, if you are trained, provide first aid to those who need it and wait for emergency responders to arrive.

Conclusion

Overall, preparedness is always the key when surviving calamities. Tsunamis are one of the deadliest disasters ever existed. It is very unpredictable, and they come in a massive force that you won’t get out of. It is important to be alert, always be mindful of your surroundings, and find an elevated place. Disasters are inevitable, so it is up to us to be prepared to be able to make it out alive.