How to Recover from a Tsunami Disaster

How to Recover from a Tsunami Disaster
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A tsunami is a sort of wave-train that results from forceful interference with the ocean floor. This occurs after earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions and other disasters that occur near bodies of water. When a tsunami occurs, it can be disastrous to the point of demolishing entire cities. If you live in an area that has been recently hit by a tsunami, recovering may seem like a long road of hardship and depression. However, it is possible to pick up the pieces of your life and take care of your needs with some thoughtfulness and preparation.

Prepare an emergency disaster kit to keep in your home and your car, just in case of emergencies. This thoughtful planning allows you to make use of the provisions in the event of a tsunami or other disaster. Your tsunami emergency disaster kits should include blankets, flashlights, batteries, matches, lighters, flares, non-perishable foods, bottled water, extra changes of clothes and other essential goods. A thoughtful tip to consider is to add prepaid phone cards to your emergency bags in case you lose your cell phone or find yourself needing the use of another phone to contact someone during the emergency. If a tsunami hits unexpectedly and you are unable to salvage your belongings, relocate to an evacuation shelter immediately for your safety and well being.

Take inventory of the damage inflicted on your home, vehicle or other important belongings. Tsunamis are destructive, and can completely demolish homes. Write down key items lost during the tsunami so you can work on getting the items replaced. This is especially useful if you keep important documents in your home like birth certificates and social security cards. These paper items are destroyed by water damage, so definitely need to be replaced as soon as possible.

Contact a local assistance facility such as the Department of Human Resources or your region's equivalent. Here, you are able to apply for assistance. In cases of national emergency or dire disaster damage, assistance money is sometimes offered to areas that are affected by disaster or areas that are forced to evacuate. You can also apply for medical help, food stamps or other government assitance if the need is severe after the disaster.

Seek medical attention if you were injured during a tsunami. Getting medical attention, even if you don't feel terribly injured, at least gives you peace of mind knowing there is no internal damage from being slammed around by the elements. This is necessary if you personally survived the impact of a tsunami.

Stay around your loved ones for support, or look up a support group in your area for tsunami survivors. Feeling alone while picking up the pieces after a tsunami disaster doesn't have to be an option; you can take solace with those who have experienced the same grief that you have.

Tips

  • Relocate inland if you live in a coastal area that has recently experienced an earthquake, landslide or massive volcanic eruption. These geological disturbances take some time to form a tsunami, which can give you time to get somewhere safe. This is where an emergency preparedness kit comes in handy as well, in case you have to leave quickly.

    If a tsunami in your area is exceptionally massive and creates a lot of damage around you, be calm and get inland as quickly as possible. Don't try to scavenge belongings or save mementos because your life is far more important. If you can locate an evacuation camp or shelter, go there.