What to do in the event of an earthquake or tsunami

By now, almost everyone should have heard about the earthquakes and tsunami in Japan. It’s a very tragic day for the people of Japan and other areas affected by the devastating events. My heart goes out to these people and their family and friends.

While watching TV coverage of the earth quake, I noticed some people were running away. I couldn’t help but wonder why they were they running. It’s not like you can outrun an earthquake. Then I realized some people were running because they were panicking and other people were running to safety. That’s also when I wondered what would I do in the event of an earthquake or tsunami. As some Oregonians know, there are at least two faults below Portland (Portland Hills Fault and East Bank Fault) and a major fault off the Oregon coast (Cascadia subduction zone). Some experts believe the Cascadia fault could create an earthquake with a magnitude 9.0 or greater. The resulting tsunami could drive a wall of water 20-30 feet high.

According to the Oregon Emergency Management department and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), this is what you should do in the event of a tsunami

• If you are on the Oregon coast during an earthquake, turn on the TV or radio to learn if there is a tsunami warning
• If there is a warning, move inland to higher ground immediately and stay there
• Stay away from the beach
• If there is noticeable recession in water away from the shoreline this is nature’s tsunami warning and you should move away immediately
• For tsunamis generated by earthquakes in or near to Oregon, there will be very little time to take action — do not waste time packing belongings
• Tsunami waves could arrive along the coastline in as little as five minutes, flooding low-lying areas, traveling up rivers that empty into the ocean, and causing wild water level fluctuations in harbors and bays
• Although there may be an official warning of the tsunami issued, local failures in phone systems, electricity, and TV/radio may preclude hearing the warning
• Since a tsunami is a series of waves, the damaging effects can last for hours following the arrival of the initial wave — do not return to low lying areas susceptible to tsunami flooding until you have received the all clear from local authorities
• Understand the local tsunami evacuation plans before disaster strikes
• If you are in a boat in harbor and there is sufficient time, you may be asked to move your craft to deep water, avoiding the impact of the tsunami in the harbor
• For a local tsunami event, you may find the safest course of action is to leave your boat at the pier and physically move yourself, family and friends to higher ground above the inundation zone

According to FEMA, this is what you should do in the event of an earthquake:

• Indoors
  • Drop to the ground and take cover by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture. Hold on until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
  • Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
  • Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
  • Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, load-bearing doorway.
  • Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
  • Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.
  • Do not use the elevators.
• Outdoors
  • Stay there.
  • Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
  • Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.
• Driving
  • Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
  • Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.
• Trapped under debris
  • Do not light a match.
  • Do not move about or kick up dust.
  • Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
  • Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.