Although we hear about them on the news, we never think that a natural disaster is going to happen to us. If we are not aware of the dangers, we are less likely to be prepared to face them. Victims of the 1960 tsunami in Chile and the 2004 tsunami in Thailand were not prepared and the results were tragic. While the results of a tsunami are horrible, there are great life lessons we can learn from tsunami survivors. Some of these lessons can help those of us in urban and suburban settings to prepare for, and survive, natural disasters such as tsunamis.
One major piece of advice that many survivors from the 1960 tsunami in Chile and 2004 tsunami in Thailand have repeated is to pay attention to clues from nature. Tsunamis are waves, or a series of waves, caused by earthquakes. Survivors from the Chilean tsunami report that they heard rumblings from the Earth and instinctively moved to higher ground. This move saved their lives. Unfortunately, many individuals were so relieved to survive the 9.5 magnitude earthquake, they were not paying attention to natural cues. Many individuals who stayed in the Chilean city of Queule following the 1960 earthquake. Similarly, fishermen and city-dwellers that survived the 2004 tsunami in Thailand paid attention to the lowering ocean levels. The drop in water level paired with the earthquake indicated that a tsunami was on the way. If you live in a coastal city, it is important to be alert following earthquakes. Though it may seem natural to relax and feel grateful to be alive, it is important that you stand guard for signs of tsunamis.
While it is important to observe natural signs in our environment, most governments also provide a warning system. The 1960 Chilean tsunami also impacted the Hawaiian city of Hilo. Although the city utilized coastal sirens to provide sufficient warning for everyone to evacuate, many people chose not to do so. Survivors report that, after some time had passed, many others believed the danger was over and headed back into the city. Many people perished as a result of failing to heed these warnings.
If you notice natural tsunami warning signals, or if your city has issued warnings, be prepared for many waves. Seismologists recording data on the 1960 Chilean tsunami had to move to higher ground, abandoning their tools, after they mistakenly believed the major waves had passed. Tsunami waves can go on for hours, and the waves can become more severe as time passes.
The most important thing to do during a tsunami is to get to higher ground and stay there. As noted above, survivors report that many victims had evacuated their cities and simply returned before the tsunami arrived or before it was complete. It is also important to stay away from the coast, as this is where danger will be the highest. For urban dwellers, this may prove difficult. As tsunamis frequently follow earthquakes, the roads to evacuate the city may be damaged or difficult to pass. However, tsunami warnings come hours prior to the danger, which will provide you with more time to leave the city. If you are unable to evacuate the city, it is important to get to the highest floor, or the roof, of your building. If you are outside when the tsunami hits, climb a tree. Do anything you can to get yourself off the ground. When the tsunami passes, look for floating debris that you can use as a life raft. Survivors of tsunamis have been found clinging to logs, tires, and pieces of buildings.
The most important advice to follow during a natural disaster is, perhaps, the hardest. You cannot gather your possessions together before fleeing. When it comes time to leave you must remember that YOU are your most valuable possession. Digging through your belongings can waste valuable time.
No matter how prepared you are, if you live on a coastal city, it is possible that you will be part of a tsunami. However, heeding the advice of those who have made it through such situations could save your life during a natural disaster.