We have been taught in this area to prepare for fires and earthquakes, now we want to talk about tsunami safety. Any coast is vulnerable and Tsunami Preparedness Week which just occurred (March 25 – 29) wants to make sure you know how to protect yourself should a tsunami occur:
- Protect yourself during local earthquakes by doing Drop, Cover and Hold On
- Go to high ground or inland
- Stay there!
The Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management has put together a tsunami map so you can find out if you are in the zone. Even if you do not live or work in the zone, it’s important for everyone to be prepared, as parts of Santa Barbara County are in the tsunami zone.
A tsunami is one of the most powerful and destructive natural forces. It is a series of extremely long waves (multiple waves tens-to-hundreds of miles between crests) caused by a large and sudden displacement of the ocean. Tsunamis radiate outward in all directions from the point of origin and can move across entire ocean basins. When they reach the coast, they can cause dangerous coastal flooding and powerful currents that can last for several hours or days (source: NOAA / National Weather Service). Check out this short video from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on tsunami’s and how to prepare and stay safe while one is occurring.
More information is available at The Tsunami Zone and the NOAA / National Weather Service U.S. Tsunami Warning System FAQs.