When federal tsunami warnings suddenly blared from cell phones in July and last December, many North Coast residents were not sure what to do.

Post-incident reviews revealed that community members, some government employees and members of local nongovernmental organizations drove vehicles from safe areas into or through potentially dangerous tsunami hazard areas.

Driving into or through known hazard areas when a tsunami warning is in effect is practicing the wrong thing to do. Repeating this behavior could be deadly in the future.

When a more powerful earthquake occurs and triggers stronger tsunami surges than those that reached the coast over the last year, motorists in tsunami hazard areas could be swept away by destructive waves inundating low-lying roadways.

Based on these findings, and coinciding with the Great ShakeOut on Oct. 16, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (Humboldt OES) is sharing key resources with local earthquake and tsunami guidance to help community members and agencies avoid repeating these mistakes.

First Step for Everyone: Check the Maps

Your first step should be to find out if you live, work or travel through tsunami hazard areas. You can find out by accessing the California Geological Survey’s worst-case scenario Tsunami Hazard Maps, available online at no cost via links at the following websites:

• Humboldt OES “Current Emergencies” web page
• Redwood Coast Tsunami Work Group web page
• California Geological Survey web page

Second Step for Agencies and Organizations: Check Out the New Fact Sheet

Your next step should be to start planning and preparing.

The brand-new Earthquake and Tsunami Response Fact Sheet has been released this week by Humboldt OES. It is available for download at humboldtgov.org/TsunamiFactSheet. The new fact sheet is designed to provide local government agencies and partner organizations with factual information and guidance to help them develop their own internal policies and procedures that protect personnel and will help maintain essential services during a local earthquake and tsunami response.

The fact sheet has been endorsed by the Redwood Coast Tsunami Work Group, California Geological Survey, National Weather Service, Law Enforcement Chiefs Association of Humboldt, California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Seismic Hazards Branch and Humboldt Fire Chiefs’ Association.

Although the public is welcome to review the fact sheet, it will be especially valuable to individuals and agencies who are responsible for others’ safety, like home health care workers, schools, daycare centers, assisted living facilities, in addition to governments providing law enforcement, fire suppression and rescue, public works, health and environmental services. Even nonprofits, nongovernmental organizations and faith-based service groups could benefit from reviewing the fact sheet.

Humboldt OES Manager Ryan Derby encourages all users of the new fact sheet to consider its guidance when participating in the Great ShakeOut on Oct 16. Derby suggests that organizations gather their members to practice earthquake safety by performing “Drop, Cover, Hold On”, followed by a discussion on why, when and how to avoid tsunami hazard areas if an earthquake that lasts several minutes occurs. 

You can register to participate at shakeout.org.

Guidance for Everyone

Every resident should review and consider the guidance provided on the Redwood Coast Tsunami Work Group’s website, including its online and hard-copy magazine, Living on Shaky Ground.

Additionally, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services has information to help you prepare for many types of emergencies at humboldtgov.org/prepare.

Sign Up for Humboldt Alert

Humboldt County residents are encouraged to sign up for Humboldt Alert to receive local emergency notifications, including information regarding evacuations and emergency sheltering in the event of a disaster. Residents can sign up by going to humboldtgov.org/alert.

For updated information about Humboldt OES and to find emergency preparedness resources, please go to humboldtgov.org/emergency, follow @HumCoOES on Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter) or call 707-441-5000.