WHAT IS A TSUNAMI? Take a first aid course and learn survival LEGEND A tsunami is a series of waves most skills. Knowledge is your greatest defense W Bakerview Rd against potential disaster. Tsunami hazard zone A Assembly area commonly caused by an earthquake beneath Maplewood the sea floor. As tsunamis enter shallow 5 Higher ground Fire station HOW DO I KNOW WHEN TO EVACUATE? water near land, they increase in height and can cause great loss of life and property If you feel the ground shake, evacuate inland Marine Ave damage where they come ashore. or to high ground immediately! A wave Sunset Lake Recent research suggests that tsunamis as high as 12 feet could reach Bellingham Cr Dr Bug have struck the coast on a within 2½ hours of the quake. The first wave Dr Lake is often not the largest; successive waves Sunset regular basis. They can occur at any time of m u c li may be spaced many minutes apart and a the day or night, under any and all weather u q continue to arrive for several hours. Return S conditions, and in all seasons. Beaches open 5 to the ocean, bay entrances, tidal flats, and only after emergency officials say it is safe. coastal rivers are especially vulnerable to Isolated areas may not receive official A Whatcom tsunamis. warnings of distant tsunamis. If you notice Middle School a sudden drop or rise in sea level, move to om atc r WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A high ground or inland immediately. h C W ‘DISTANT’ AND A ‘LOCAL’ TSUNAMI? WHERE DO I EVACUATE TO? BELLINGHAM When a tsunami has been generated by a distant earthquake, it will not reach The map shows tsunami hazard areas BELLINGHAM the Washington coast for several hours, (yellow) and areas of higher ground (green). and there is time to issue a warning. When Go to the nearest high ground—at least 50 a tsunami is generated by a strong offshore feet above sea level, if possible. If you don’t BAY earthquake, its first waves would reach the have time to travel to high ground, but are in outer coast minutes after the ground stops a multi-story building, go to an upper level. shaking. Feeling an earthquake could be If you are on the beach and unable to get to your only warning! high ground, go inland as far as you can.

WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT WHAT DO THE EVACUATION MYSELF FROM A TSUNAMI? SIGNS MEAN? Tsunami evacuation routes Develop a family disaster plan. Everyone TSUNAM I were developed to guide coastal FAIRHAVEN Pa needs to know what to do on their own to dden residents and visitors to safer S Post a protect themselves in case of disaster. m Point i locations when car evacuation is possible. sh Be familiar with local earthquake and Evacuation signs have been placed along tsunami plans. Know where to go to the main roads to direct motorists to higher Way survive a tsunami. Identify an evacuation Creek ground. In some places, there may be more 5 Lake site within 15 minutes walking distance of Old Padden than one way to reach safer areas. These Chu Samish cka home and/or work. routes are marked with multiple signs nut Chuckanu Prepare three-day emergency kits for your showing additional options for evacuation. Cr Bay Rd home, automobile, and work. You will need to know the evacuation routes 00.51 mile for your area. t HOW DO I GET INLAND OR WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR WHEN YOU FEEL AN EARTHQUAKE: TO HIGH GROUND? MORE INFORMATION? Protect yourself—drop, cover, hold Car evacuation may not be possible if an CITY OF BELLINGHAM until the earthquake is over earthquake has damaged roads and power Office of Emergency Management Grab your three-day emergency kit 1800 Broadway lines and resulted in significant debris. If Bellingham, WA 98225 EvacuationEvacuation this is the case, do not try to follow the Move quickly inland to high ground Phone: 360-676-6933 evacuation routes out. Evacuate on foot and away from low-lying coastal areas E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.cob.org directly to the nearest high ground. Avoid Evacuate on foot if at all possible Map for lakes and wetlands, which are prone to because of potential road damage and WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Map for flooding and liquefaction during aftershocks. DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT traffic jams 311 Grand Ave, Suite B-08 Do not wait for an official warning Bellingham, WA 98225 WHAT SHOULD I HAVE IN MY Phone: 360-676-6681 BellinghamBellingham EMERGENCY KIT? Do not pack or delay E-mail: [email protected] Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or Incident hotline: 360-738-4551 You should prepare an emergency kit with Website: http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/dem/ a three-day supply of necessary items for your local radio station for information index.jsp each member of your family. The kit should on shelter locations and emergency broadcasts WASHINGTON MILITARY DEPARTMENT be adapted to your needs, but keep it light EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIVISION and manageable in case you must evacuate Be alert for aftershocks Camp Murray, WA 98430-5122 on foot. Have it ready to go for immediate Phone: 800-562-6108 Do not return to the tsunami hazard Website: http://www.emd.wa.gov/ evacuation. Possible supplies include: zone until emergency officials say it is Non-perishable food and cooking and safe for you to return eating utensils, including can opener Water and a water purification kit First-aid kit and prescriptions Plastic bags for water storage and waste WHAT ARE THE EMERGENCY RADIO This is a joint project of the FREQUENCIES? Washington Military Department, Dental and personal hygiene items Emergency Management Division, and the NOAA Blaine, 162.525 MHz Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Sturdy shoes, clothes, sleeping bag, tent For local news updates, KGMI 790 AM Division of Geology and Earth Resources, Portable radio, headlamp/flashlight, and in cooperation with extra batteries local emergency management officials. Pocket knife, whistle, matches, duct tape, and rubber, latex, and heavy-duty gloves This map was produced by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, WHERE CAN I STAY UNTIL THIS IS OVER? Division of Geology and Earth Resources, Because most of the areas at risk of http://www.dnr.wa.gov/. inundation in the Bellingham area are non- residential, local emergency management has chosen not to designate assembly areas. If you are at risk from a tsunami at work, you Safety Tips for should evacuate to your home. Printed on recycled paper July 2007 Whatcom County