It is an amazing coincidence, that last week there was an announcement in Puerto Rico of a Tsunami drill, scheduled for Wednesday March 23, 2011. As expected, just as it happens when they announce the arrival of the hurricane season, it was barely noticed. Puerto Rico is right in the middle of the Atlantic ocean and the Caribbean sea, and hurricane season is a common occurrence.
About three years ago I went home (Puerto Rico) to attend my niece middle school graduation. For the first time noticed Tsunami warning signs, everywhere. My sister said that there was a Tsunami education campaign after the 2004 earthquake and tsunami in Thailand.
I wonder why it took authorities so long to create this awareness campaign? The Seismic Research Unit says hundreds of earthquakes occur each year, in and around the Caribbean. Not all are felt, but they are recorded by scientists. Scientists say it is not a question of if it will happen but when.
I was enjoying my first week of a twelve day vacation in Maui, when the 2004 tsunami hit Thailand. Maui is a small beautiful tropical island in Hawaii, and most and best things to do there are water related.
Even though I was staying with a friend in the town of Kula, situated at a much higher elevation, (her balcony overlooks most of the island) the mood around the island was calm, but many residents, including me, were concerned. Maui residents were worried for friends and relatives living in Indonesia and Thailand. Streets and beaches were empty as people stayed glued to the news broadcasts. They were prepared for the worst. My friend said not to worry, but I was scared.
Last night I was watching some of the video footage from Japan, so much destruction within a matter of minutes. Mother nature can be so unpredictable and destructive.
In the big scheme of things, tragedies like this should teach us how vulnerable we all are. We do not own this planet, we are merely short term tenants.
You are right, we have the tsunami alert signs, but I wonder if we are really prepared for something like that. I guess we are never prepared for disaster, but at least, as we prepare to save our lives? I really hope, the answer is yes.
Publicado por: Jina Garcia | 03/13/2011 en 10:01 p.m.
El sábado estaban dando un reporteje de los avisos de tsunami y las rutas de escape en la isla. Aunque hay ya algunos pueblos con las alertas y avisos al día, son muchos los municipios costeros que no han usado el fondo para tsunamis, ya sea embolsillándoselo o usándolo en otros proyectos.
Además estaban hablando de la futura consrución de albergues anti-tsunamis y que se esperan construír 800 de éstos, con cabida a 500 personas cada uno, por toda la costa.
Saludos.
Publicado por: JavierOmar | 03/14/2011 en 06:35 a.m.
Jina, I am not sure anyone is prepared for this type of disaster, but we owe to ourselves and our families to be aware of it. Gracias!
Javier, gracias por la informacion. ¿Albergues anti-tsunamis en las costas? Me imagino en caso de un tsunami de grandes proporciones los que mejor estaran son los que viven cerca de las montañas. Eso me recordo la ultima escena de la pelicula "A Day After Tomorrow", cuando los asteroides caen en el mar, y los hijos de los protagonistas se salvan cuando suben a una montaña bien alta. Gracias por la visita!
Publicado por: Kofla Olivieri | 03/14/2011 en 08:43 a.m.
We may have all the signs but puerto rican indolence and lack of practice may spell serious harm in case of a tsunami.
Publicado por: Prometeo | 03/14/2011 en 04:42 p.m.
Prometeo, if we ever experience a tsunami it is going to be a major catastrophe. Ina few minutes am posting a new video of the tragedy I just found! Hopefully people may see it and take this warnings seriously!
Publicado por: Kofla Olivieri | 03/14/2011 en 09:13 p.m.