Never Too Soon To Plan For A Tsunami

Ever since the horrific events of December 26, 2004, when a massive earthquake in the Indian Ocean caused widespread destruction and a huge number of fatalities, the word tsunami has struck fear into the hearts of people all over the world. Of course, tsunamis had occurred many times in the past, but the sheer scale of the Asian tragedy earned it the dubious honor of being recognized as one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. The ferocity of the tsunamis that hit the coasts of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and the Maldives was unprecedented, and left an estimated 230,00 people dead. Suddenly, this Japanese word, literally meaning 'harbor wave' and previously unknown to many around the world, became part of the global lexicon.

It was hardly surprising, therefore, that the countries of the Pacific rim region should respond seriously to early warnings of potential tsunamis, following the devastating earthquake in Chile in late February, 2010. Pacific Ocean-wide concerns led to the west coast of the USA and Canada preparing for potential after effects, while Hawaii and other Pacific island communities were put on full alert. Ultimately, the levels of damage and impact were, thankfully, minimal or non existent, and tsunami warnings were relaxed once it was clear that the threat was over.

But it does beg the question: will we be so fortunate next time? And just what can home owners, in vulnerable coastal areas, do to safeguard against the effects of tidal waves in the aftermath of large earthquakes? While the technology to construct earthquake-resistant buildings has existed for many years, tsunami-proof housing is very much in its infancy. Evacuation to higher, safer, ground is pretty much the best option, but if your home is hit by a significant wave, the amount of damage that it could cause could be astronomical.

In order to safeguard your personal welfare, find out what height your property is above sea level, and the exact distance it is from the nearest high-risk body of water. Ensure that you are familiar with a safe evacuation route from your house, to a recognized safety area. Know what to do if a tsunami watch or warning is issued. Make sure that you keep informed via the local media, and follow any advice offered by local authorities.

There's no doubt that the safety of yourself and your loved ones should take priority. But do consider some form of natural disaster insurance policy, to avoid losing your home and possessions should a tsunami strike. At the very least, look into what your homeowners policy covers, and then weigh up the risks to decide whether you require extra coverage.

Surviving a natural disaster must be one of the most traumatic experiences a person can go through. Losing your home and its contents will be made that bit more bearable if you can, at the very least, retrieve the value of what is damaged or destroyed.

About the author

Everything you need to know about Santa Cruz real estate is right here at MySantaCruzRealEstate.com. Lauren Spencer, Coldwell Banker Realtor will be glad to answer your questions about homes in Jewel Box CA.

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