As Crowds Head to Coast, Officials Urge Tsunami Preparedness, Alert Sign Ups

PACIFICA - With temperatures rising, local residents and visitors are flocking to San Mateo County's roughly 55 miles of coast for relief. From Linda Mar's sandy beach to Pescadero's rocky shoreline, the risk of a tsunami can seem remote.

But during Tsunami Preparedness Week - March 21 to March 29 - officials are reminding people to understand the danger (look up your address here), prepare and sign up for emergency alerts.

"A tsunami can arrive with little warning, and the ocean may look calm even as danger approaches," said Dr. Shruti Dhapodkar, director of San Mateo County Emergency Management. "In an emergency like a tsunami, seconds count. SMC Alert delivers life-saving information directly to you, so you can act quickly, make informed decisions, and stay safe. Sign up today."

SMC Alertis a free service that delivers urgent information to subscribers about tsunamis, earthquakes, hazardous weather and other emergencies.

It's important to remember not everyone along the coast or bay is at risk. Check the San Mateo County Tsunami Hazard Zone Viewer from the California Geological Survey to see if your home, school or workplace is in a hazard area.

Where to Start:
Local emergency officials say preparation is simple if you follow these steps:

1. Make a Family Evacuation Plan- If you live near or visit the coast, identify safe, elevated locations nearby and plan multiple routes to get there. Decide how family members will communicate if separated, and practice the plan.
   
2. Sign Up for Emergency Alerts- It's easy to enroll in SMC Alert- San Mateo County's emergency notification system. Also check your local city or special districts for additional alert and warning systems.
   
3. Pack a Go Bag- Include water in a refillable container, nonperishable food, a flashlight, batteries, first aid supplies, three to five days of prescription medications, a change of clothes, copies of important documents and something for entertainment, like a deck of cards or book. Keep it in an easy-to-find place if you need to leave quickly.

Recognizing the Signs:
Move immediately to higher ground - walk or drive uphill, away from the water - if:

• You feel a strong or long earthquake while on the coast.
• You hear an unusually loud roar from the ocean.
• You see water pulling away from the shore beyond normal wave action.
• You hear tsunami sirens or receive emergency alerts.

If any of these occur, grab your Go Bag and head inland or uphill. If higher ground isn't nearby, go to the upper floors of a sturdy building. Stay there until authorities issue an official "all clear."

Tsunamis often arrive as a series of waves, and the first is not always the largest.

Why This Matters:
More than 150 tsunamis have hit California's shore since 1800, according to the California Department of Conservation. Most were barely noticeable, but a few have caused fatalities or significant damage.

Unlike hurricanes or large storms, tsunamis are typically triggered by distant or local earthquakes, leaving little time to react. Understanding the natural warning signs can give you crucial minutes to move to higher ground.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides a website titled "The science behind tsunamis." (The word tsunami comes from Japanese and translates to "harbor wave.")

For many residents along the San Mateo County coast, higher ground is only a few blocks away. The most important action is simple: if you see or hear signs of a possible tsunami, move away from the water immediately - inland and uphill. Don't wait for an official warning.

Sandra Firpo
Department of Emergency Management
(650) 363-4790
[email protected]