Q/A Flood and Tsunami Preparedness

adopted from UN Indonesia Standard Operational Procedure IV.3

Q: What precautions should I take when living in a flood plain or near the coast?
A: The easiest way to avoid a flood or the effects of a tsunami is to rent or purchase property that is above the flood plain and/or back from the coastline and on relatively higher ground. If you are in question as to the location of the flood plain, local insurance representatives or government officials should have the information available.
If you cannot avoid using property on the flood plain, the following precautions should be taken:
a. Keep on hand materials like sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber.
b. Install check valves in building sewer traps to prevent flood water from backing up in sewer drains.
c. Keep your automobile fueled; if electric power is cut off, filling stations may not be able to operate pumps for several days.

Q: If I receive a FLOOD WARNING and I’m likely to be affected, what should I do?
A: You should carry out the following:
a. Act on any warning and instructions given over by the radio room or by the SFP/FSCO/ASC/Designated Official, civil defence officials or the police.
b. Disconnect electrical appliances.
c. Move all valuable personal and household goods, food, clothing, etc. out of reach of water.
d. Remove weed killers, insecticides, etc. out of likely reach of water, as these could cause dangerous pollution.
e. Store drinking water in clean bathtubs and in various containers. Water service may be interrupted.

Q: What if I have to evacuate because of a FLOOD?
A: If you are forced to leave your home, the following steps should be taken:
a. Move essential items to safe ground; fill tanks to keep them from floating away; grease immovable machinery.
b. Turn off electricity, gas, central heating oil; lock doors and windows.
c. Do not leave any perishable food items in the refrigerator or freezer -- they will only spoil and destroy the appliance.
d. Move to a safe area before access is cut off by flood water.
e. Take with you food, drinking water, warm clothing, personal and family documents, any essential medicines and infant care and personal toiletry items.

Q: What should I do during a FLOOD?
A: During the flood it is important to take the following measures:
a. Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream where water is above your knees. Be particularly careful of culverts into which you or children might be pulled and dams over which you could be swept.
b. Do not attempt to drive over a flooded road or stream crossing -- you can be stranded and trapped or, even worse, swept downstream.
c. Keep listening to the instructions given over the radio.
d. Avoid unnecessary exposure to the elements.
e. Do not drink flood water -- it is polluted.
f. Keep away from places where a landslide may occur (steep slopes, etc.).

Q: What is a TSUNAMI?
A: A tsunami is a large wave generated most commonly by an underwater earthquake, but also by landslides or volcanic eruption over or under the ocean surface. Sea floor movement associated with earthquakes nearly always creates the giant tsunamis capable of crossing oceans. Tsunami waves consist generally of more than one wave and can include up to 10 or more, following each other between 5 and 90 minutes apart. Sea water is displaced with a violent motion and swells up, ultimately surging over land with great destructive power.

Q: How will I know when a TSUNAMI may strike?
A: If you live in low-lying coastal areas, an earthquake may be your only warning that a tsunami is about to strike. Initial onshore sign of tsunami depends on what part of the wave first reaches land: a wave crest causes a rise in the water level and a wave trough will cause a recession. The rise may not be significant enough to be noticed by the general public. Observers are more likely to notice an unusually large withdrawal of water from the shoreline leaving fish stranded. A tsunami is more likely to appear as an unusually large incoming tide that floods the land rather than appear as a vertical wall of water. Wave behavior may vary considerably along a coastline and within a space of only a few kilometres. The sequence of the largest wave in a tsunami wave train can also vary.

Q: What should I do in the event I am close to the coastline and I do receive some warning or there has just been an earthquake?
A: As soon as the shaking stops, start for high ground or inland as far as possible and stay there until officials have sounded the all-clear signal. Do not wait for a warning to be announced. The following steps should be taken:
a. Tune in to your nearest operating radio station and follow instructions.
b. Keep away from streams flowing into the sea.
c. If the sea recedes, do not go down to the beach; the water can return rapidly when the tsunami strikes.
d. If time permits, act as for a flood.
e. Stay away from the area for at least two hours – there may be a dozen or more destructive waves.

Q: What are the initial post disaster needs?
The initial response should be as for any response to a crisis – to save lives and respond appropriately to the disaster - see Annex 16D.

12.06.2008. 15:46