What is a tsunami?

A tsunami is a series of waves most commonly caused by an earthquake beneath the sea floor.

If a large earthquake displaces the sea floor near the Washington Coast, the first waves may reach the shore minutes after the ground stops shaking. There would be no time for authorities to issue a warning.

Following an earthquake far out in the Pacific Ocean it may take hours for tsunami waves to reach the Washington Coast. The Alaska Tsunami Warning Center alerts local officials who may order evacuation, but isolated areas may not receive official announcements. If you notice a sudden drop or rise in sea level, it may be a warning of impending danger. Move to high ground or inland immediately. The waves can kill and injure people and cause great property damage where they come ashore. The first wave is often not the largest; successive waves may be spaced many minutes apart and continue to arrive for several hours.

Where and when do tsunamis occur?

Tsunamis occur at any time of the day or night, under any and all weather conditions, and in all seasons. Beaches open to the ocean, by bay entrances or tidal flats, and the shores of coastal rivers are especially vulnerable to tsunamis.

How do I know when to evacuate?

A strong offshore earthquake may generate a tsunami. Therefore, if you feel the ground shake, evacuate inland or to high ground immediately and return only after officials say it is safe to do so.

During distant source tsunami events, local Emergency Management officials will advise citizens to evacuate by making an announcement over the Emergency Alert System or over NOAA Weather Radio.

Where do I evacuate?

Go to an area 50 feet above sea level, if possible. If you don’t have time to travel to high ground, but are in a multi-story building, go to an upper level of the home or building. If you are on the beach and unable to get to high ground go inland as far as you can. The tsunami evacuation map illustrates the primary evacuation routes and congregation areas. Take your disaster supply kit with you.

How do I get inland or to high ground?

Go on foot if necessary, particularly if an earthquake has caused damage to roads, power lines, and resulted in significant debris.

Remember:

Never go to the coast to watch a tsunami. Tsunamis move faster than a person can run. If you are camping on or near the beach, you may have to abandon your campsite to go inland or to higher ground to save your life.

Do not return to shore after the first wave. Wait for Emergency Management officials to give the “All Clear” before you return.

If you see an unexpected rise or fall in the coastal water, a tsunami may be approaching. Do not wait – instead move inland or uphill as quickly as possible.

Stay tuned to your radio, marine radio or NOAA Weather Radio during a disaster. Bulletins will be issued regularly through local Emergency Management officials and National Weather Service.

NOAA Weather Radio Frequencies:

– Astoria 162.40 Mhz

– Mt. Octopus 162.475 Mhz

– Olympia 162.475 Mhz

Call 911 only for life threatening emergencies.

What should I do if an earthquake occurs while at the coast?

1. Drop, cover and hold. Get under a sturdy object and hold on. Watch for falling objects.

2. As soon as the shaking is over, move to higher ground or inland. Do not wait for an official warning.

3. Stay away from the coast. Waves may continue to arrive for hours.

4. Listen to your local radio station for an official “All Clear” notice before returning to the coastal area.

5. Be alert for aftershocks.

What can I do to protect myself from a tsunami?

Develop a family disaster plan. Everyone needs to know what to do on their own to protect themselves from an earthquake.

Be familiar with local Emergency Management earthquake and tsunami plans. Know where to go to survive a tsunami.

Be prepared to survive on your own for a minimum of three days.

Prepare a disaster supply kit for your home, automobile and work. A list of recommended supplies for your kit may be found below.

Take a first-aid course and learn survival skills. Knowledge is your greatest defense against potential disaster.

For more information, call:

Washington State Emergency Management Division at (800) 562-6108, or visit our web site at: (www.wa.gov/wsem )

Or call your local Emergency Management office:

Pacific County Emergency Management at (360) 875-9340 or visit our web site at: http:// (www.co.pacific.wa.us/pcema/)

Disaster Supply Kit

Assemble a 3-day minimum supply of the following items. If you live in a low-lying area, consider keeping essential supplies in a backpack that can be quickly strapped on and taken with you if you must evacuate on foot.

First-aid supplies and personal prescriptions

Non-perishable food and utensils

Water (one gallon per person per day)

Water carrying bag or container

Extra blankets, ponchos and clothes

Plastic bags for garbage and waste

Rubber, latex, and heavy-duty gloves

Pocket knife, flat 12″ pry bar, and duct tape

Tube tent

Flashlights (extra batteries)

Battery-operated AM radio (extra batteries)

Whistles

Dental and personal hygiene items

Dust masks

Matches

Evacuation signs and what they mean:

Tsunami evacuation routes were developed to assist coastal residents and visitors find safer locations in case of an earthquake and tsunami.

Evacuation signs have been placed along roadways to indicate the direction inland or to higher ground. In some places, there may be more than one direction available to reach safer areas. These routes may be marked with several signs showing additional options for evacuation.

You will need to know the evacuation routes for your area.

Community Plans:

Every attempt has been made by local Emergency Management offices to locate evacuation routes and public congregation areas that are safe, within a reasonable distance for foot or vehicle traffic, and accessible within a short period of time.

These are difficult criteria to meet in some geographic areas, primarily as a result of private property issues.

For that reason, residents who may be impacted by tsunami activity, but do not have an “official” route or congregation area within a reasonable distance, are urged to work together to develop an evacuation plan within their neighborhood or community.

A plan should address property access issues, evacuation routes, and what might be expected in terms of numbers of people needing to access a locally organized congregation area.