If you are a tourist, ask your hotel or various approachable locals about policy, if you’re concerned. Familiarize yourself with the terrain so if the worst were to happen, you could fend for yourself. Even though you’ll probably be following everyone else, know that they’re heading for high ground, too, and you should do the same. And those evacuation routes won’t really do you much good if you don’t practice them. So round up the kids and the family dog and. . . GO. How long does it take to reach your safety spot? Are there any potential issues that could crop up? Do you know how to reach your back-up route in the event one is impassable or jammed?[2] X Research source
Water (A large amount to last for about a week) A prepaid sim card in a phone (Be sure the phone has a long lasting battery) Canned or packaged foods (A large amount to last for about a week) Flashlight (hand cranked flashlights are a good idea) Radio (tuned to NOAA station that gives the “all clear” signal) Sanitary items such as toilet paper, moist towelettes, garbage bags, zip ties, hand sanitizer. First aid equipment (band-aids, gauze pads, etc. ) Whistle Map Tools (wrench to turn off utilities, manual can opener) Duct tape Spare clothes Anything for individuals with specific needs (infants, elderly, etc. )
If you have kids that are in school, familiarize yourself with their policy. They may take the kids to their own spot. Ask your student’s teacher or a faculty member about their tsunami policy.
Definitely read up on wikiHow’s first aid and emergency articles, but consider taking a legit course from a nearby school, hospital or community center. You’ll be helping better the world from day 1.
Once you know how to predict a tsunami and how to handle the situation when it comes, your main duty is to pass your learning onto others. If your community doesn’t have a program, start one. It’s imperative that everyone knows how to operate under these conditions.
Invest in a hurricane shelter if possible. The more mental anguish you can avoid, the better—and having a hurricane shelter can be a serious load off. Your emergency route would lead you there and you could stash your emergency kits in it as well. Home away from home, if need be.
Tsunamis also have a tendency to travel. [6] X Research source An earthquake can happen in Alaska and a tsunami can strike in Hawaii. This is all quite scary, so just take note that they don’t happen incredibly often—most waves lose energy out at sea, far away from civilization.
Do a quick YouTube search right now for videos—it’s quite startling. If you think you won’t be sure whether or not the tide has receded, think again. So much land that almost never breathes air will make its fateful appearance and it’ll be impossible to ignore.
If you don’t want to jump to conclusions, look to the animals. How are they acting? We may be technically smarter than them, but they know when nature has gone awry. If they’re acting funny, something is definitely up. [8] X Research source
Tsunamis spread, so a small wave in one area could be a behemoth of a wave in another. If you hear word that another area has been hit, presume yours will be too, though the gravity of the wave could be very different. [10] X Research source
Ideally, you want high ground that’s natural, like a mountain or hill. The 32nd floor of a high-rise that gets swept away and turned to rubble by the current is not a good place to be. [11] X Research source
Even if it’s on foot, just run. Follow the locals. Tourists are often the ones absent-mindedly looking to the sea and then not running till it’s too late; you see the locals scatter way before the visitors.
Oh, and grab your pet, too. Don’t make the little guy fend for himself! Is there food you can spare for him in the kit if need be?
In short, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. And a tsunami is one move Mother Nature has up her sleeve that you definitely can’t beat. So if you do get swept up in her power, roll with it. Grab the nearest SUV that’s going for a new-age joy ride and hang on. The worst will be over in the first few seconds.
