Fiction. Prepare for a tsunami. Map out where you would go—on foot, because roads will be flooded. Occasionally, tsunamis can form walls of water (known as tsunami bores) but tsunamis normally have the appearance of a fast-rising and fast-receding flood. Rush to the beach after the first wave to see what has washed up on shore. Story highlights. If you are swept up, cling to a floating object Most people do not survive being swept into a tsunami. (A tsunami may include several waves arriving over a period of hours.) A U.S. Marine helicopter loaded with food flies over Lampuuk in northern Sumatra after a tsunami killed most of the village's 7,000 residents–and nearly 230,000 people on … Your presence might interfere with emergency response operations and put you at further risk from the residual effects of floods. Disposing of Liquid Waste from Autopsies in Tsunami-Affected Areas pdf icon [PDF – 140kb] Management of Dead Bodies in Disaster Situations external icon From the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) MMWR: Health Concerns Associated with Disaster Victim Identification After a Tsunami — Thailand, Dec 26, 2004–Mar 31, 2005 Move to higher ground immediately, don't wait for a warning. Don't assume the danger is over after the … After a tsunami. Hop in your car to get to higher ground. They can be similar to a tide cycle occurring in just 10 to 60 minutes instead of 12 hours. Do not assume that after one wave the danger is over. Do not return to coastal areas until tsunami warning is over. Immediately after a tsunami . The first step in escaping a tsunami is educating yourself, so find the “higher ground” now before it is too late. Tsunami Fact vs Fiction. But there are a few ways you can protect yourself from these natural disasters. (Roads may be impassible, you’ll just contribute to the traffic jam, and you may not get to safety. Fiction. Read on. With as little as 20 to 30 minutes before a tsunami hits, you must prepare now for what you’d do if you live near the coast. After the wave crashes onto land, the water carries all kinds of debris back to sea, which may include a variety of toxic chemicals. Tsunami warnings are usually issued by NOAA's Tsunami Warning Center, and it's important to tune in after an earthquake to find out whether a tsunami warning has been issued. Do not wait for all of the natural warning signs (strong shaking, withdrawal of the sea, strange roar of the sea) to occur before leaving the beach. Know what to not do DURING AND AFTER a Tsunami. Let us start with the lesson, perhaps: Don’t use a tsunami siren to warn about gusty winds. Tell family and friends you're OK. Keep tuned in to official information sources or local media. 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