Be aware of where you are and follow these guidelines in the event of a large earthquake and possible tsunami.
✓ A strong earthquake felt in low-lying coastal areas is a natural warning of possible, immediate danger.
✓ Keep calm and quickly move to higher ground away from the coast.
✓ Not all large earthquakes cause tunamis, but many do. If the quake is located near or directly under the ocean, the probability of a tsunami increases.
✓ When you hear that an earthquake has occurred in the ocean or coastline regions, prepare for a tsunami emergency.
✓ A tsunami is not a single wave, but a series of waves.
✓ Stay out of danger until a competent authority issues an "ALL CLEAR".
✓ Approaching tsunamis are sometimes heralded by a noticable rise or fall of coastal waters.
✓ This is nature's tsunami warning and should be heeded.
✓ Approaching large tsunamis are usually accompanied by a loud roar that sounds like a train or aircraft.
✓ If a tsunami arrives at night when you cannot see the ocean, this is also nature's tsunami warning and should be heeded.
✓ A small tsunami at one beach can be giant a few miles away.
✓ Do not let the modest size of one make you lose respect for all.
✓ Sooner or later, tsunamis visit every coastline in the Pacific. All tsunamis - like hurricanes - are Potentially dangerous even though they may not damage every coastline they strike.
✓ Never go down to the beach to watch for a tsunami!
✓ Tsunamis can move faster than a person can run!
✓ WHEN YOU CAN SEE THE WAVE YOU ARE TOO CLOSE TO ESCAPE.
✓ During a tsunami emergency, your local emergency management office, police, fire and other emergency organizations will try to save your life.
✓ Give them your fullest cooperation.
✓ Homes and other buildings located in low-lying areas are not safe.
✓ Do NOT stay in such buildings if there is a tsunami warning.
✓ The upper floors of high, multistory, reinforced concrete hotels can provide refuge if there is no time to quickly move inland or to higher ground.
✓ If you are on a boat or ship and there is time, move your vessel to deeper water (at least 100 fathoms). If it is the case that there is concurrent severe weather,
it may be safer to leave the boat at the pier and physically m ove to higher ground.
✓ Damaging wave activity and unpredictable currents can affect harbor conditions for a period of time after the tsunami's initial impact.
✓ Be sure conditions are safe before you return your boat or ship to the harbor.
✓ Stay tuned to your local radio, marine radio, NOAA Weather Radio, or television stations during a tsunami emergency. Bulletins issued through your local
emergency management office and National Weather Service office can save your life.
✓ Have an emergency plan with your family. Decide ahead of time where you will meet.
✓ Discuss and practice earthquake and tsunami preparedness drills together with your friends and family.