Tsunami on the West Coast

NOTE: My opinions are my own – this is purely editorial commentary based on my own experiences:

Last Friday early in the morning, I was jarred awake by the sound of the tsunami siren. Looking at the clock it was a little after 3am, I shook Bridgett awake and work Morgan up quickly trying to figure out what was going on. Turning on the news we saw the devastation in Japan and quickly realized that what was happening there would soon effect us. We turned on the local radio station to listen for instructions and information – but were greeted by bad 70’s music for the first 5 minutes. The announcer was nonchalant “a tsunami warning is in effect for the entire west coast, it’s predicted to hit around 7:30am local time – and now we go to the Bee Gees - Stayin’ Alive.”

Ok then…. What should we do? Then the phone calls started from panicked friends who were running for the hills – literally. We didn’t get the pre-recorded reverse 911 phone call that told everyone in the tsunami zone to “evacuate immediately!!!!” although everyone seemed to. Apparently we aren’t in the ‘zone’ identified by experts and probably a panel of insurance adjusters.

After deciding that keeping everyone at home was the best thing to do – it’s not the water that kills you it’s the debris and the crowd of madly fleeing people that get you – I decided to run into work to see what I could do to help. One aspect of being in an emergency healthcare provider profession is a duty to act when disasters or emergencies arise.

Everyone at work was rather calm and nonchalant again. In fact I was told “it’s only a warning.” OK people – that may be and there may be nothing to do four hours before “T-time” – but someone should take it seriously. I took care of what I needed to do and kicked back and watched the news. I kept in touch with people via text (most of them sitting on hillsides) and kept in touch with Bridgett via text and waited.

It turned into a non-event for the most part. Only the southern part of the Oregon Coast had much effect and parts of the Northern California Coast. One dork died trying to take a photo (Darwin award?) in Northern California.

Now I’m listening to a few people grip and complain about how community leaders overreacted. Looking at the news feeds from Japan – I would say they have a reason to react the way they did. I for one agree that the response was very much justified and I would have liked to see a little more coordination and information from the moment the siren sounded. I believe that I’m in the middle of the road when it comes to reactions. I’m not going to panic – I’m a realist – what comes is what comes. I hope we will all be alive when it passes over us. We will be prepared for the aftermath – but one can never truly be ready for the event.

Today – I watched a supposed expert talk about magnetite, fish kills, electromagnetic forces, earth tides, full moons, and the likelihood of an earthquake off the coast of Oregon (according to him in the next 2-8 days). Yep – there will be a major earthquake along the coast. Will it be tomorrow or ten years from now? I don’t know and I don’t believe in hokey predictions either. I’m not making light of the situation, but aside from moving – what else will we do?

For me – right now – I send my thoughts and energy toward the people of Japan and the rescuers who are stemming the suffering, recovering the lost, exposing themselves to radiation risks, and doing all this with grace and dignity. I read a report today about the politeness of the Japanese and the way they are handling themselves and their own self-sacrifice. I only hope as a people we Americans can do the same when it’s our turn.