Samoa tsunami reminds Ocean Shores of threat
OCEAN SHORES, Wash. -- A massive tsunami in Samoa unleashed by a powerful earthquake flattened Samoan villages and swept cars and people out to sea, killing dozens and leaving dozens more missing Wednesday.
Some 7,000 miles away here on the Washington coast, the energy from the tsunami produced only a slight rise in the water. But oceanside emergency crews say the tsunami serves as a good reminder of the importance of preparedness.
"As soon as I hear something like that I get very concerned," said Ocean Shores Mayor Dean Bunkers.
Bunkers said he and the police chief were immediately in contact with each other.
Fortunately, no evacuation was necessary, and Ocean Shores residents didn't have to race to get to higher ground.
"We've got one road out of town and it can only occupy so many vehicles at a time," said Chief Mike Styner.
State Route 115 is the only way out of town, which means in case of a mandatory evacuation, the 2,000 residents would all jam onto it at the same time.
Residents at the south end of Ocean Shores would the most trouble.
"In my position it's going to be difficult getting out of here if we have a tsunami with not a lot of warning," said Mike Patrick, who lives on the south end.
If the road is not be passable, officials say the best thing to do is to get above the water.
"I would seek the highest ground that I could and get into a building and go up," said Styner.
This method was proven effective during the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami. Hotel guests in the beachfront high rises were safe above the waves. Ocean Shores has at least two dozen tall motels and private homes.
Emergency crew say the early warning system and sirens are working well, but they're braced for the worst.
And surviving the waves is just the start. Residents need to be prepared to survive on their own for several days without electricity and running water, and no way to get around.
Still, many area residents say it's worth the risk to live in such beauty.
Some 7,000 miles away here on the Washington coast, the energy from the tsunami produced only a slight rise in the water. But oceanside emergency crews say the tsunami serves as a good reminder of the importance of preparedness.
"As soon as I hear something like that I get very concerned," said Ocean Shores Mayor Dean Bunkers.
Bunkers said he and the police chief were immediately in contact with each other.
Fortunately, no evacuation was necessary, and Ocean Shores residents didn't have to race to get to higher ground.
"We've got one road out of town and it can only occupy so many vehicles at a time," said Chief Mike Styner.
State Route 115 is the only way out of town, which means in case of a mandatory evacuation, the 2,000 residents would all jam onto it at the same time.
Residents at the south end of Ocean Shores would the most trouble.
"In my position it's going to be difficult getting out of here if we have a tsunami with not a lot of warning," said Mike Patrick, who lives on the south end.
If the road is not be passable, officials say the best thing to do is to get above the water.
"I would seek the highest ground that I could and get into a building and go up," said Styner.
This method was proven effective during the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami. Hotel guests in the beachfront high rises were safe above the waves. Ocean Shores has at least two dozen tall motels and private homes.
Emergency crew say the early warning system and sirens are working well, but they're braced for the worst.
And surviving the waves is just the start. Residents need to be prepared to survive on their own for several days without electricity and running water, and no way to get around.
Still, many area residents say it's worth the risk to live in such beauty.