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IF YOU FEEL A STRONG THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW WHILE ABOUT TSUNAMIS NEAR THE COAST: • A tsunami is a series of or surges most 1. PROTECT yourself during the earthquake commonly caused by an earthquake beneath the floor.

1 2 3 • An unusual lowering of water, exposing the How to sea floor, is a warning of a tsunami or other large . This “draw back” means the water will surge back strongly. DROP! COVER! HOLD ON! • Tsunami waves are unlike normal coastal waves. Survive a Tsunamis are more like a river in or a sloping • If indoors, DROP under a sturdy table or object, mountain of water and filled with . COVER your head and neck and HOLD ON. • Tsunamis cannot be surfed. They have no face and Tsunami • If outdoors, move to a clear area if you can safely are usually filled with debris. do so - away from trees, beach cliffs, signs and other • Large tsunamis may reach heights of twenty to fifty - and drop* to the ground. feet along the coast. The first tsunami surge is not the * If you have mobility impairments that prevent you from highest and the largest surge may occur hours after getting up on your own, do not drop to the ground the first wave. It is not possible to predict how many but do cover your head and neck and hold on. surges or how much time will elapse between waves.

2. MOVE to high ground ADDITIONAL RESOURCES • As soon as it is safe to move, go to higher FEMA’s emergency preparedness information site: ground. www.Ready.gov • Avoid downed power About tsunamis: lines and weakened http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov over passes. Identifying natural hazards in your neighborhood • If you are outside of a www.calema.ca.gov tsunami zone, Preparing for and tsunamis stay where you are. www.earthquakecountry.org The Geological Survey 3. STAY there www.consrv.ca.gov/cgs • Remain on high ground. LA County Office of Emergency Services Waves from a tsunami http://lacoa.org may arrive for eight hours or longer. • Return to the coast only when officials have anounced that it is safe to do so.

www.smgov.net/OEM TWO WAYS TO FIND OUT IF A WHEN SHOULD I EVACUATE? PREPARE NOW TSUNAMI MAY BE COMING Evacuation should not be automatic. Before evacuating How you prepare will affect how you recover. Being you should determine if you are in a hazard zone and prepared for earthquakes and tsunamis prepares you 1. NATURAL WARNING consider possible hazards that may exist along your for all kinds of . evacuation route. Strong ground shaking, a loud ocean roar, or the water • Know if you live, work, or play in a tsunami receding unusually far exposing the sea floor are all • Know if you live, work, or play in a tsunami hazard hazard zone. ’s warnings that a tsunami may be coming. If you zone. • Learn what the recommended tsunami evacuation observe any of these warning signs, immediately go to • COUNT how long the earthquake lasts. If you feel routes are in your city. Identify safety zone(s) near higher ground or inland. A tsunami may arrive within more than 20 seconds of very strong ground shaking you, and decide on your primary and secondary minutes and may last for eight hours or longer. Stay and are in a tsunami hazard zone, evacuate as soon evacuation routes. away from coastal areas until officials announce that as it is safe to do so. it is safe to return. • If you live or work in a tsunami hazard zone get a • GO ON FOOT. Roads and bridges may be NOAA weather radio with the public alert feature damaged. for your home and office. It will alert you even if turned off. • Avoid downed power lines. • Assemble a small evacuation kit with essential • If you hear that a tsunami warning has been issued documents, medications, a flashlight, a portable but did not feel an earthquake, get more information. NOAA weather radio and batteries, water, snacks Listen to the radio, television or other information and warm clothes. Keep your evacuation kit by the sources and follow the instructions of emergency door so you can “grab & go”. personnel. • Walk your route – consider what you would do at night or in stormy weather. WHERE SHOULD I GO? • Make a reunification plan with your loved ones. Decide when and where you will meet if you 2. OFFICIAL WARNING Coastal areas contain are separated. signage that will show you You may hear that a Tsunami Warning has been issued. what areas are safe and • Make plans for how to address any functional needs Tsunami Warnings might come via radio, television, what areas may be at risk. or disabilities you might have. If you need help telephone, text message, door-to-door contact by Use them to guide you to evacuating, prearrange assistance from neighbors emergency responders, or NOAA weather radios. a safe area. including transport of mobility devices and durable Move away from the beach and seek more information medical equipment. If you are mobility impaired, on local radio or television stations. Register with the account for the extra time that you may need. city’s alert notification system, SM Alerts, to receive • Decide on the best strategy for protecting your pets. emergency updates via phone, email or text message. • If you live in the tsunami hazard zone, sign up for SM Alerts now. In the case of a tsunami, you will receive up to date information and instructions.

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