Fleeing The Tsunami

We were enjoying a quiet Sunday afternoon at home when suddenly we were startled by a heart-stopping disruption. All of us were thrust to the ground and things started flying off of the shelves and walls.

When the reality hit us that we were experiencing a violent earthquake, we all dropped, covered and protected ourselves as best we could. I grabbed baby B, held her close and tried to protect her.

When the shaking stopped, we caught our breath again and made sure everyone was alright. J hurt his arm pretty badly which required some quick first aid and T could barely walk on his right food, but fortunately most of us only sustained a few cuts and bruises.

Our house was in shambles with furniture, books/papers, videos, toys, roof tiles, glass, wood splinters and fallen boards randomly scattered all over the place. We had to watch where we were stepping to make sure we didn't get hurt even more.

Now adrenaline was pumping, we were still in shock and the kids were scared ...I was too. However, we couldn't rest. Not only did we know there might be some aftershocks just as violent, we knew we only had 25-35 minutes to get out of the Tsunami Zone in which we lived...and there would be no time to wait for local authorities to tell us whether or not a Tsunami was coming.

We couldn't just drive to higher ground as the roads were all ripped up from the earthquake and if they weren't, they were blocked by panicked people trying to get out of the danger zone. We have to walk.

Fortunately we were prepared with 72-hour kit backpacks for each of us. We dug the backpacks out of the rubble and started out on our 1.1 mile walk to our local Tsunami meeting place.

This happened to be one of those rare times that the weather was dry here in the Pacific Northwest and it was a warmer spring day. I can't imagine how much more challenging it would have been if it was icy cold and rainy....or rainy, cold and stormy with heavy winds. Regardless of the weather, we had to carry on to outrun the two or three story wall of water that would potential rise out of the little river across the street and crawl graspingly up our street.

The path to the Tsunami meeting place rises up gradually with a few steeper 'steps' along the way. Our goal is to get to the first 'step' as fast as we can and then continue steadily to up to the second step and so on until we reach the meeting place.

We knew, especially with the kids' endurance and T not able to walk well on his foot, we wouldn't be able to make it all the way to the meeting place before the wave hit, but we did know the higher we were, the less impact the wave would have if it did outrun us.

We were already about 10 minutes behind schedule, just from trying to dig out the life-supporting emergency backpacks.

We continued forward, pressing on, fueled by adrenaline, heightened senses and amplified awareness as we pursued our goal towards each 'step' of added safety. As we continued, we listened anxiously for the roar of the destructive wave as a timing guide and tried to not lose ground from looking back at what might be nipping at our heels.

On the way we looked around for places on which to hang on in case we did get inundated by the attacking wave. Hopefully we could hold our position until the wave rolled over us and speedily receded. We knew we would have to hold on as tight as possible against the pressure of the coming wave and the suction of the receding wave. We were forecasting what types of debris to avoid if that situation occured.

We made it to the first 'step' in a little about seven minutes and the second 'step' was within site. With each step we were at a safer height than the previous.

Soon we could hear the faint rumble of the Tsunami tearing down Main street. The sound alone motivated us and fed the adrenaline we needed to make the backpacks lighter and our legs less painful.

Not quite to the second 'step' we could see the rush of water crawling up the shallow hill at an amazing speed...yet at the same time it seemed like slow motion. Fear engulfed us and our legs almost 'rubberized' by the overwhelming terror that overcame us. When we realized the wave was approaching faster than we could out run it, we gathered and held each other tight to brace for impact.

Gratefully we were high enough up the hill that the wave, pushed up the hill only by its momentum, was only a foot deep. Yet the impact of the wave breaking against the back of my legs and exploding around us almost made me loose my balance. The kids were crying and screaming in panic and fear...we held our ground until the water crawled back down the hill.

We were startled, scared, cold and wet, but we were safe! We couldn't hold back our tearful emotions, but we were encompassed by a feeling of relief that we survived the Tsunami!

After coming back to our senses and making sure everyone was alright, we regrouped and carried on up the hill towards the meeting place.

We were anxious about our home and how it faired through the ordeal, but we knew there was a possibility of more waves. We also knew we would be able to get help and instruction from others and local authorities at the meeting location so we continued towards our goal.

The second half of the mile-long journey seemed to drag. The adrenaline rush receded like the wave and reality was starting to weigh us down a little bit. But we took this time, knowing we were safe, to try to relax a little and take it easy. There was no need to unwisely rush to the meeting place.

We finally made it to the Tsunami meeting place, found a place to settle and prepared to create a secure and comforting environment. We changed into some dry clothes, pulled out a snack and drank some water. Some of the kids pulled out their books and started reading to help calm their shaken minds.

We were safe...and we were together! It was a blessing that I wasn't at work at the time of the emergency and that the kids were home with us. But even if the scenario had been different, we each knew before hand what we were to do.

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Although the above experience was fictional, those were some of the thoughts and discussions our family had as we held a family Earthquake/Tsunami drill this past Sunday. We practiced dropping, covering and protecting ourselves in a pretend Earthquake. We all put on our 72-hour kit backpacks and walked 1.1 miles to the Tsunami meeting place. We talked about what we would do in certain situations. It was a great role play to help us be prepared in case we had to live the scenario for real. There is comfort in being prepared.

This Tsunami drill also helped us realize a few holes in our preparations. But now we can fill those holes before a real situation occurs. We do more drills and continue to progress towards better preparation. Hopefully we won't need to experience these scenarios, but if we do, we will be a little more prepared. Besides, it makes for a good opportunity to work together and enjoy each other as a family.