The Japanese government warned its citizens to prepare for a 34 meter mega-tsunami in the case of a triple quake. Early warning and fast evacuation would seem to be the only hope in such a scenario.
While most of our readers don't live in Japan, all of them live where a potential disaster could require fast action and rapid evacuation. Make sure that you have your emergency kit at-the-ready.
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It's been a year since an earthquake brought a devastating tsunami with its massive destruction to the Japanese coastal areas. The number one question is, "Are we any better prepared for a disaster in our own neighborhood by what we learned from the Japanese disaster?"
Each disaster around the world brings devastation and sadness, but also an opportunity to learn and prepare ourselves for the day that our neighborhood might sadly be in the headlines.
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I am concerned to find that there are at least 32 Asian nuclear reactors in operation or under construction that are at risk for tsunami damage. As does the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, five nuclear plants in China and Taiwan lie near subduction zones (areas at risk for very large earthquakes and tsunamis) and as a Univeristy of Minnesota professor says,"We have to assume they'll be hit."
For the 5 Chinese and Taiwanese nuclear plants the real worry is the Manila Trench. This subduction area is facing a growing risk for a major earthquake as tremendous pressure and stresses are building. The last major earthquake in the Manila Trench happened about 440 years ago.
A 9.0 magnitude earthquake in the Manila Trench could trigger tsunamis 15 to 24 feet high. These monster tsunamis would be expected to hit each of the 5 nuclear power plants in China and Taiwan. Unfortuantely, the Japanese nuclear disaster is likely not going to be the last one ever caused by a tsunami.
As always, the bottom line is that multiple risks for disaster exist in our modern society. Some are man-made, some are natural, and many come from a combination of natural and man-made risk factors. It seems that the "combination" risks are among the greatest. So please prepare for any man-made or natural disaster.
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The one month anniversary of the March 11, 2011 9.0 Japanese earthquake and tsunami was accompanied by a strong 7.0 aftershock. Just one more troubling reminder of the earthquake danger in the region and elsewhere in the world.
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Poor Japan - here they go again. This is one of the strongest aftershocks since the 9.0 earthquake on March 11. This earthquake was closer to shore.
The quake shook buildings in Tokyo for about a minute. No new damage was immediately reported at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant.
In the effort to encourage people to prepare in advance for a major disaster, the most challenging obstacle to overcome is people's lack of personal experience. Most Americans have never experienced a catastrophic disaster. Therefore, most Americans do not fully comprehend the realities of the aftermath of such a devastating event. Lacking this first hand experience, many of us are challenged to learn from the experience of others.
When the devastating earthquake hit Haiti last year, we saw very little increase in people determining to be prepared. Was this because people just assumed that the impact of a disaster in the United States would be very different than the aftermath of a catastrophe in a third world country such as Haiti?
How quickly we seem to forget the suffering in the United States after Katrina. Yes, you can go hungry and thirsty in America and be left without adequate shelter and access to medications after a major disaster. Some of us learned that lesson without having to live it ourselves. Some of us got better prepared because we understood that what happened in New Orleans could happen elsewhere in the country in a major disaster. Others, sadly, did not see the application of the lesson.
Well, here is one more chance... Like the United States, Japan is one of the most developed countries in the world and has one of its largest economies. It is not a third world country. So read this article to see a first hand account of what it can be like after a major disaster like that experienced in the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. This account made me ask myself once again, "How well prepared am I for a major disaster?"
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I have commented before on the tendency in the United States to pay relatively little attention to disasters that don't happen within the United States. I have noted that a catastrophic earthquake in Pakistan or in some "remote" area of the world causes very little emergency preparedness activity in the United States. In contrast, Katrina, caused tens of thousands for families to perk up, pay attention, and get prepared.
Because of its severity and the close ties that the U.S. has with Japan, many in the U.S. have taken note of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami disaster and are getting an emergency preparedness kit for the first time, replenishing expired items, or taking other steps to improve their preparedness. So there are those who are learning lessons from overseas in this latest round of natural destruction.
But we may find that this particular disaster will have an even more direct impact on the United States than most overseas catastrophes even though it is still an ocean away. Because of the important place that Japan holds in the world economy and its very direct role in the United States economy, our own economic recovery may be threatened by the economic aftershocks of this tragedy in Japan itself. Stock markets are already responding to the threats to global supply chains.
Disruptions to supply chains in manufacturing sector such as automotive, electronics, and aviation could begin to be felt very quickly. In a manufacturing environment that has gotten use to JIT (Just In Time) production, reserve stocks are generally very low. We will begin to feel the impact of the Japanese disaster on our factory floors and showrooms very quickly.
Every disaster we witness brings an opportunity for us to learn and prepare. One of the key learnings is that in this global economy, the disaster of our neighbor can become our own disaster in a very real way. This can be true even is that neighbor lives "across town".
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The most powerful earthquake in Japan's recorded history has devastated numerous towns in Japan and unleashed a 32 tsunami that swept away boat, car, homes and buildings. The 8.9 magnitude quake has sent waves rushing across the Pacific to threaten Hawaii, the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Russia and even the West Coast of the United States.
I grew up in the Philippines and have lived through several earthquakes. But when I woke up to the news and saw it was a 8.9 magnitude, I was just sick. I do not recall hearing of an earthquake of this magnitude. Indeed an 8.9 puts this in line with some of the deadliest earthquakes ever experienced in the United States.
Coastlines across the Pacific are being evacuated as memories of the Indian Ocean Tsunamis of 2005 are still fresh enough in people's minds to get them to react cautiously. Tourists are being moved to higher floors in hotels on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii as 6 foot waves are predicted. I have stayed in Waikiki hotels many times and they are right on the beach and there isn't a whole lot of beach between the hotels and the ocean. I can only imagine the possible devastation. In coastal areas all around the Pacific, hotels, other buildings and homes are so close to the ocean that widespread devastation is assured as these massive waves continue to hit.
The current death toll in Japan stands at 32 but experience says that the final death toll will be many times that number.
Once again, real experience is the greatest reminder that we all need to be prepared for any emergency or disaster.
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With total death toll predictions of as many as 300,000 people or more from the devastating 7.0 earthquake in Haiti, one might think that any emergency preparedness lessons to be learned would have clearly penetrated even the least safety counscious minds.
However, despite the enormity of the devastation, it is easy to miss the emergency preparedness message from the Haiti earthquake because "That is impoverished Haiti with its lack of building codes or a functioning government. Of course many people died and the rest severely suffered in the aftermath."
No such excuse should keep us from learning lessons from the enormous 8.8 earthquake the Chileans are calling the "Mega-Quake." This is a developed nation with a well functioning government. A nation with strict building codes and a history of responding to major earthquakes. Despite this, it appears that about 2 million people have been displaced and well over 1,000 are dead. People are sleeping in the streets and struggling to find basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter.
As I have watched the reports, here as some of the emergency prerparedness lessons I see:
With widespread looting of grocery stores happening within two days of the quake, it is clear that people are without basic food and water. While there are undoubtedly those who are just taking advantage of the sitatuation to steal, it is clear that many of the "looters" are what we would otherwise consider to be average citizens who are thirsty and hungry.
Even search and rescue crews are indicating that their work is being slowed because of lack of food and water for the professional responders.
Many of the residents of damaged homes have chosen to stay in the street or in their yards because it is too dangerous to stay inside and too risky to leave what is left of their belongings unguarded.
Shelter quickly becomes a critical need after such a disaster. Those lucky enough to have a tent, blankets, fire starting materials and fuel are much more comfortable that those who were caught unprepared.
3) Tsunamis are real and deadly
The double devastation of an earthquake followed by a 60 foot high tsunamis wave traveling at the speed of a commericial aircraft claimed many lives and caused great devastation on the Chilean coastline. Tsunamis have occured on the coast of the United States in the past and can be expected in certain earthquake scenarios.
A full understanding of the tsunamis risks might have led some to more quickly evacuate the coastright after feeling the quake. The several campers that were swept away and feared dead in one area probably weathered the quake well as they were out of doors, but obviously did not evacuate in time to avoid the deadly wave that followed.
4) Basic Emergency Tools Can Help in Critical Search and Rescue Efforts
As we have seen in other earthquakes, people are using their bare hands to remove rubble and seek to rescue others. Even such basics as a good pair of work gloves can aid in their efforts.
Many also reported that doors and windows were jammed as buildings moved in the quake. These exits had to be pried open. Basic emergency tools, like pry bars, would have helped many escape themselves and participate in serach and rescue efforts.
5) Provide For Yourself Before the Emergency or Risk Going Without
As always, the lesson we should each learn from such disasters is that all of us need to be prepared to meet our own basic needs in the immediate hours and days follwing a disaster.
Being prepared for such disasters means having an emergency kit and supplies that provide the "10 Emergency Basics":
Water
Food
Breathing protection
Shelter
Warmth
Light
Communication
Tools
Sanitation and hygiene
More information on emergency preparedness lessons learned from major earthquakes.
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