This week, some coastal communities in Washington will have the opportunity to better prepare for tsunamis, among other natural disasters. Workshops with Washington State Emergency Management officials are planned for coastal towns that could be at risk if a tsunami strikes.
Earthquake program manager Maximilian Dixon says preparedness is key for any disastrous event. But your emergency kit isn’t the only thing you’ll need if you’re in the path of a potentially lethal wall of water.
“If you’re in the tsunami inundation zone, you’re in the risk area, no matter if you’re a visitor, or if you live there," he said. "You need to know how to evacuate — where is high ground.”
The workshops will be hosted throughout the week in Ilwaco, Ocean Park, Port Angeles, and Chimacum, as well as on the Hoh Reservation near Forks. But if you can’t make it to the workshops, there's a good rule to remember after an earthquake.
“Run to high ground or get there as soon as possible," Dixon said. "Because a tsunami will be coming.”
