8. SUNDAY SUN HIGH WAVES, storm surges and worst-case scenario, tsunamis can occur during the year but may be more likely to be experienced during the hurricane season. The Coastal Zone Management Unit works on various aspects of protecting people who live or work on and near beaches, and coordinates planning of beachfront property with the Town and Country Planning Department to mitigate against erosion. This involves ongoing research, analysis, public education and more targeted education with other shareholders who have an interest in the environment of such areas. Participating in local, regional and international fora and following scientific reports are also important. Although we do not like to think of ever experiencing a tsunami, in our distant past these did come our way and there is always a possibility that a hurricane or at-sea earthquake near to us can trigger one. In such a case we may have as little as 20 to 30 minutes to reach higher, inland ground; if one of those giant waves occurs because it was triggered in the region and is snaking its way towards us, we may have more time such as two to three hours. However, imagine if you had to flee from wherever you were: workplace, school, bus stand, beach or supermarket at little notice. What would you do? The advice is to run inland and as high as you can get. (If you can’t run, this writer suggests that you walk as fast as possible.) It will be necessary to focus and put your all into doing running or walking at top pace. Therefore keeping fit and walking, jogging or running (as your doctor says you are able) should be part of your life year round. Trying to get into a car or bus will delay you and the incredible force of the water will smash all vehicles. Leave them and run. If you are in an area where you can reach a high floor or roof of a strong building but cannot get up a hill, then get upstairs as high and as fast as you can. Worst-case scenario – no nearby hill
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or high building. If you can, climb a strong tree and hang on for your life. Or climb and hang on to a pole. A sign that a tsunami is coming is when the sea pulls back, exposing more of the near reef than normal, resist the impulse to stay on the beach and look at it, head for the hills, hard and fast, if you see that but be aware that this does not occur with every tsunami. Some survivors have noted strange behaviour in animals prior to tsunamis, and earthquakes as well, with animals going to higher ground, birds flying out of normal patterns, and so on. However, animals also have died in tsunamis and floods. A storm surge is not as big a monster as a tsunami but if it is high enough it comes with enough energy to run past normal wave shorelines and into areas where it can do damage. The strengh will feel similar to being caught in a rip tide and therefore people should try to escape being in areas of storm surge waves by getting inland and upland, or up high in a strong building.
ASIDE FROM coastal clean-ups Coastal Zone Management Unit plays a pivotal role in disaster preparedness. (FP)