Sidebar

Flood's & Tsunami's

Natural Disaster Home Earthquakes Cyclones Hurricanes
Floods and Tsunamis Volcanoes Shelter in Disaster Helping Children cope with Disaster
  Survival Kit Escape Land Disasters  

Floods

Floods are quite common in many travel destinations, and often communities have to evacuate. Assume that you will have to cope with a flood. Several so – call “100 years” floods can happen in a quick succession. To reduce the impact on you, your belongings, garden and your loved ones, there are measures you can take.

Earthquakes

Cyclones

Volcanoes

Home

Before a flood strikes

  • Find out about the worst flood in your locality and how high it rose. Calculate where such a flood would reach your home.
  • Know how to reach the nearest high ground.
  • Keep your valuables and some food and clothing above what you judge to be the highest water mark.
  • Store petrol, diesel and other chemicals above your estimated high – water mark.
  • Consider building some form of storage above your ceiling.

When a Flood Threatens

  • Listen to your radio for information. Follow National Disaster advice and instructions.
  • Disconnect electrical appliances and move valuables, clothing, food, medicines and chemical above the likely reach of flood waters.
  • Take your getaway Kit with you if you have to leave our home. Turn electricity and gas off.
  • Don’t go into flood waters alone
  • Don’t go sightseeing into flooded areas.
  • Don’t drink floodwater. It could be contaminated.

Tsunami

A tsunami is a series of sea waves generated by underwater earthquakes or large landslides.

Near Source Tsunami

A “near source” tsunami is one that is generated close to our coastline by a strong earthquake. Several countries including Vanuatu have experience a few of these. The most recent being in Pentecost in 1999, including the one in South east Asia in December 23rd 2004. The water level may fall very quickly past the normal low tide mark, and then return just as quickly. If this happens there won’t be enough time to issue a warning. You need to get to high ground immediately.

When a Tsunami Threatens

  • Turn on your radio and follow all instructions
  • Take your getaway kit with you if you are told to evacuate.
  • Leave the area immediately if you are on the beach or nears a river when a strong earthquake occurs.
  • Know the fastest and safest way to higher ground.
  • Go at least one kilometer inland or 35 meters above sea level.
  • Don’t go to a river or beach to watch the wave come in.