Tsunami Warning Issued for Hawaii, Other Nations Along Pacific Rim
Tsunami Warnings Issued Following Massive 8.8 Magnitude Earthquake in Chile
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued the warning for Hawaii which is expected to hit at 11:19 a.m. HAST (3:19 p.m. CST). Siren's sounded throughout Hawaii in the early morning hours alerting tourists and residents. According to CNN, sirens will sound at half-hour intervals.
Warnings have also been issued for American Samoa, Guam, Asia, Australia, the Philippines, and other nations around the Pacific rim. Japanese and Australian officials say the tsunami is likely to hit sometime within the next 24 hours.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said, "Sea-level readings confirm that a tsunami has been generated which could cause widespread damage." They went on to say, "Authorities should take appropriate action to respond to this threat."
A tsunami advisory is in effect for parts of California, Oregon, the state of Washington, and Alaska. An advisory is the lowest level of alert and does not require immediate evacuation.
What is a tsunami?
According to the Tsunami Warning issued, a tsunami is "a series of long ocean waves. Each individual wave crest can last 5 to 15 minutes or more and extensively flood coastal areas."
A tsunami's trough usually reaches land first. When it does, it creates a vacuum that sucks water seaward, exposing the sea floor and harbor. Tsunami's look like a quickly surging tide that inundates coastal areas.
What to do before a tsunami hits:
1. Listen for tsunami warnings on your television or radio (have spare batteries available)
2. Move to higher ground away from the shoreline and don't go to the beach. Should a tsunami hit, do not run toward the exposed ocean floor.
Your disaster kit should contain:
1. At least one-gallon of water per person (enough to last for three-days)
2. Have a three-day supply of food - Food should be non-perishable (peanut butter, trail mix, soup, canned juice and milk are examples)
3. First-Aid Kit
4. Extra clothing
5. Bedding
6. Be sure you have any important documents you may need (birth certificates, Social Security cards, Will, etc.).
If you live in any of the affected areas, heed warnings and get to safety immediately. Boaters should move their vessels out of the harbors and bays to safety as soon as possible.
Sources:
CNN
San Francisco Chronicle
Published by Kenzy England - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment
I'm a full-time freelance writer, A&E Featured Contributor, and recipient of the Yahoo! Contributor Network's 2010 Top 1000 award. I enjoy writing about my favorite celebrities, music, and television shows.... View profile
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- A tsunami's trough usually reaches land first
- Tsunami's look like a quickly surging tide that inundates coastal areas
- If you live in any of the affected areas, heed warnings and get to safety immediately
4 Comments
Post a CommentThe nice thing about your "disaster kit" is that it can be fairly static, i.e., not require much change/attention over time.
So, until tsunami prediction models improve, the public might be less upset about further likely false alarms since basic preparations may be mostly already available in the kit.
very worrying to hear this, I hope people have enough time to evacuate and there are no casualties
Very helpful info about what to pack, etc. in wake of tsunami warnings.
Even "paradise" has it's price. None of us escape mother nature's wrath, in one way or another, do we? How lucky the islanders are to have warning, whereas the terrible disaster in Chile brought none.