Essential Tips to Stay Safe Before, During and After a Tsunami

Posted on: Nov 18, 2022 | | Written by:

Essential Tips to Stay Safe Before, During and After a Tsunami

Published on November 17, 2022. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

What to Do Before, During and After a Tsunami

Natural disasters do not come announced but the magnitude of havoc that they create cannot be imagined. They leave many homeless and injured and also the number of causalities is high. A Tsunami is one such disaster. For the unversed, a tsunami happens when giant waves form under the sea due to a volcano or an earthquake. The speed at which they happen is very high and thus, they can cause a lot of destruction. Also, it does not necessarily stop at one big wave it can occur again and thus, the danger does not stop.

People staying in coastal areas can be hit by a tsunami after an earthquake of a high magnitude. Thus, for these people having a home insurance policy is essential. The policy is important and flood insurance coverage is mandatory for them.

As these areas are prone to earthquakes and tsunamis, insurance is important but what is also needed is to know the protocol to follow before, during and after a tsunami. When you know the right things to do, you can stay safe and reduce the loss.

Let us discuss what should be kept in mind in case of a tsunami to ensure you and your loved ones stay safe.

Before a Tsunami

It is important to know if you stay in an area which is prone to tsunamis and if it is a high-risk area, there will be a plan and one should be well aware of the same. There are usually alerts set in these areas and everyone in the family must be aware of these to be able to understand the system of alerts and also the plan of evacuation if needed.

The meteorological department can predict if a tsunami will hit the coast and keeping these in mind the government issues bulletins and warnings and keeping yourself updated with these is important. When you are warned you might not have much time to do things and be prepared but some things should be done on priority. The first is to have an emergency kit. This is mandatory. Secondly, and also very essential is to have groceries and food stocked for 3-4 days minimum if not more as accessibility to basics can also reduce in case of a disaster. Any medicines which are important must be stocked and so should be supplied like drinking water.

Being prepared is better than being stuck. And once you have a warning from the authorities, it will be foolish to not be prepared and be stranded later.

The above things are when warnings are issued and a tsunami is expected. But if you stay in an area which is prone to such disasters having a home insurance policy is essential so that if something happens, there is enough coverage to take care of the financial strain.

During a Tsunami

When an earthquake happens, the natural reaction is to run. But this is not right and the most appropriate thing to do is to drop to the ground and take cover under a heavy furniture piece like a table or desk. You should hold on to this furniture so that you stay protected and covered under it.

If you stay near the coast and an earthquake of a duration of longer than 20 seconds is a warning sign to expect a tsunami. A noticeable fall or rise of coastal waters and them making an unusual noise is another warning signal. If there is a tsunami warning, you should evacuate or be ready to do so at short notice.

During a tsunami, a series of waves can happen and thus, if one massive one has hit you cannot relax as the next one can be bigger. If you cannot leave, try and be there at a height as that is safer. If you can see the waves, you sure are in a dangerous area and thus, this is a signal to move away. One important thing to do is to keep yourself updated with warnings and monitor the progress and let the authorities decide when the danger is over. They have access to more information and predictions and thus, trust them and do not panic.

As stated earlier for people staying in coastal and high-risk areas, having home insurance and property insurance is essential. You only understand the importance when you see the destruction they cause and the loss people incur.

After a Tsunami

Aftershocks are common and thus, it is always better to be prepared after a tsunami. Thus, it is important to keep yourself updated with the information the authorities and news channels send. If you have left home to be in a safer place, only come back once things have been declared safe. A tsunami can happen for hours as it is a series of waves and thus, the danger does not get over with one giant wave. Also, there can be secondary effects like damaged bridges, landslides, roads and building damage, contaminated water and many others. This is why having property insurance is important.

As homes can also be destroyed and so can the contents of the house, having home insurance is essential. If there is water around any building it is best to stay away as tsunami has the power to collapse walls and cause cracks in the floor.

If your home is not safe, wait till authorities assist. Once back, assess the loss and report the loss to your insurance provider. The home insurance policy with flood insurance coverage will come in handy. A tsunami is not about physical destruction but also about mental stress. When you know there is someone to take away the financial stress, it will help you cope better and you can focus on other essential things.

Insurance is needed for these tough times and an insurance provider with good customer service will take care of everything causing you the least issue.

Conclusion

A tsunami is a natural disaster but the destruction it can cause cannot be even comprehended. The climate has been changing and predicting these disasters is tough and still, the occurrence is more frequent. As a result, it is better to be aware of the place you stay in and the potential dangers. For people in an area where there are high chances of a tsunami, taking adequate measures is important. One of the most important things to do is to have a good home insurance policy with adequate coverage so that in case of a tsunami you are covered.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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