Tsunamis... You Can't Surf These Waves!

Did you know that tsunamis are a possible threat here in California?  Whether you live, work, or play near the California coast, it's important to know what to do if a tsunami occurs or if a tsunami watch or warning is issued.  The following article, brought to you by the County of Los Angeles and The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, provides helpful information about tsunamis and what to do to prepare. It's great information... something we should all keep on file!

  

Contrary to popular belief, a tsunami isn't one giant wave.  It's a series of waves that build up momentum.  They can travel at speeds up to 500 miles per hour in the open sea and reach heights of up to 100 feet in shallow coastal waters.  Usually, however, tsunamis that reach California average 10 feet in height and peak in the 20-40 foot range.  The first tsunami wave is seldom the highest or last.  Waves will continue to arrive for several hours, spaced minutes to hours apart.  In fact, hundreds and perhaps thousands of people died in the catastrophic 2004 tsunami when they went to the ocean to see the impacts of the first waves.  They were swept to their deaths when subsequent waves struck.

The time it takes for tsunami waves to reach the coast can vary.  Tsunami waves are typically generated by giant earthquakes below the ocean floor or as a result of underwater landslides.  If a tsunami is caused by an earthquake a few miles off the coast, the resulting waves will arrive within minutes of the quake.  If it happens 200 miles away, the waves could arrive within 30-60 minutes.  There is no exact way to measure this, but your local news should be able to provide up to date information as the event unfolds.

So what is the our threat here in California?

 More than a dozen tsunamis with waves three feet high or more have struck California since 1812.  Some have caused significant damage:

• The tsunami generated by the 1964 Alaska earthquake killed a dozen Crescent City residents and caused more than $34 million in damage. 
• Three tsunamis flooded Santa Barbara during the 1800s
• A tsunami resulting from a Chilean earthquake damaged a pier in San Diego Harbor in 1960
• One foot waves resulting from the 1992 Cape Mendocino earthquake were detected near Santa Barbara

Historically, tsunamis have caused greater casualties and damage in Northern California.  But Southern California residents are still at risk because our coastal population is higher.

So what can we do to prepare?

Before The Next Tsunami or Tsunami Warning:

• Determine the elevation of your home and how far it is from the coast.  Know whether you live in a tsunami danger zone.
• If you live within a couple of miles of the coast, identify a location to go to if a tsunami strikes.  The location should be at least two miles inland or 100 feet above sea level.
• Learn the signs of an approaching tsunami.  If the tide rises or recedes rapidly, move immediately inland to higher ground.
• Ask local emergency officials or your planning department what areas are susceptible to the tsunami flooding
• Locate refuge areas and learn evacuation routes.  If you live in San Diego like we do, you can obtain information here: http://www.sandiego.gov/ohs/index.shtml
• Develop or update your family's emergency plan.  If you don't have a plan or need help revising your existing plan, Servpro of Point Loma can help!  We provide free emergency plan assistance!
• Assemble an emergency supply kit that includes a portable radio
• Identify a friend or relative living in another state that can serve as a family point of contact
• Learn first aid techniques such as CPR to assist neighbors who may be injured
• Teach family members how and when to turn off the utilities
• Start of join a Community Emergency Response Team.  Servpro of Point Loma is a member of Ready San Diego.   It's a great safety tool for San Diego residents! http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/oes/ready/  

During or After The Next Tsunami or Tsunami Warning:

• If you feel an earthquake, DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON until the shaking stops.  Estimate how long the shaking lasted.  If severe shaking lasted 20 seconds or more, immediately evacuate to height ground as a tsunami might have been generated by the earthquake.
• Move inland two miles or to land that is at least 100 feet above sea level immediately.  Don't wait for officials to issue a warning.  Walk quickly, rather than drive, to avoid traffic, debris, and other hazards.
• Stay away from coastal or low-laying areas until an "all clear" notice has been issued by local emergency officials.  Waves might continue to arrive for several hours.
• Use common sense.  Do not go to the coast to see a tsunami.  Tsunamis are not like regular waves.  They are much faster, higher, and are filled with debris.
• Obey evacuation notices.  Listen to the radio or watch television for emergency information and instructions from local officials about re-entry.
• Contact your local office of emergency services for more information about preparing for tsunamis.

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This information was extracted and adapted from "Tsunami!  How to Survive This Hazard on California's North Coast," Humblodt Earthquake Education Center, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA;  other sources included the FEMA publication "Are You Ready?  Your guide to disaster preparedness," and from information provided by the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, Earthquake and Tsunami Program and The city of Los Angeles publications.

*** Servpro of Point Loma is a Ready San Diego Business Alliance Member. Feel free to contact us anytime for safety tips!

Flood Safety Awareness Week: March 15 - 19

id you know that we're in the midst of Flood Safety Awareness Week?  According to FEMA, flooding is the nation's number one natural disaster.  In fact "20 to 25 percent of all flood insurance claims are filed in low-to-moderate flood-risk areas".  That's a very surpring statistic!  Servpro of Point Loma is a stong believer in the "you can never be too prepared" motto... that's why we're posting FEMA's latest press release on flood safety.  This information might be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a disaster for you!

Flood Safety Awareness Week
           March 15-19, 2010


Property owners and renters need to know that they can take steps to protect their property and financial security before disaster strikes. However, many eligible residents are unaware that they qualify or that affordable flood insurance is available. Residents can begin to take steps now to protect their home and assets from rising floodwaters at any time.

• Make sure gutters and drains are cleared. Clean and maintain storm drains and gutters and remove debris from your property to allow free flow of potential floodwater.
• Move valuables and sentimental items to the highest floor of your home or business.
• Install backflow valves in waste lines to keep water flowing in one direction.
• Protect your well from contamination.
• Anchor or elevate fuel tanks and elevate the main breaker or fuse box and the utility meters above the anticipated flood level in your home or business, so that floodwater won’t damage utilities.
• Make sure you have the right insurance: Review your insurance policies and find out what they do and do not cover. Learn the difference between replacement cost coverage versus standard coverage, which only pays the actual cash value of insured property. Be sure that you have enough insurance to cover recent home renovations or improvements.
• Know that most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage, so be sure to consider flood insurance for both your structure and its contents. There is typically a 30 day waiting period for a flood insurance policy to take effect. Learn more by visiting FloodSmart.gov and http://www.fema.gov/.
• Learn your flood risk. Properties that are not located within high-risk areas can also flood. Find out your flood risk right now by entering your address at FloodSmart.gov “Assess Your Risk.” Insurance agents can also help check your risk.
• Purchase a flood insurance policy. If you already have a flood policy, remember: your policy needs to be renewed each year.
• Plan and practice a flood evacuation route, ask someone out of state to be your “family contact” in an emergency, and make sure everyone knows the contact’s address and phone number.
• Build an emergency supply kit: Food, bottled water, first aid supplies, medicines, and a battery-operated radio should be ready to go when you are. Visit http://www.ready.gov/ for a complete disaster supply checklist.
• Inventory your household possessions: For insurance purposes, be sure to keep a written and visual (i.e., videotaped or photographed) record of all major household items and valuables, even those stored in basements, attics or garages. Create files that include serial numbers and store receipts for major appliances and electronics. Have jewelry and artwork appraised. These documents are critically important when filing insurance claims.
• Store copies of irreplaceable financial and family documents in a safe place, preferably one that is protected from both fire and water. Documents include automobile titles, tax records, stock and bond certificates, deeds, wills, trust agreements, birth and marriage certificates, photos, passports and insurance policies. Keep originals in a rented safe deposit box. And don’t forget the household inventory file!

Flood insurance is available through nearly 100 insurance companies in more than 21,000 participating communities nationwide. Everyone can purchase flood insurance – renters, business owners, and homeowners. Nation-wide, the average flood insurance policy costs around $563 a year. And in low- to moderate-risk areas, lower-cost Preferred Risk Policies (PRPs) start at just $119 a year. Individuals can learn more about their flood risk and how to protect their property by visiting www.FloodSmart.gov or by calling 1-800-427-2419.
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|*** Servpro of Point Loma is a Ready San Diego Business Alliance Member. Feel free to contact us anytime for safety tips!

Insurance Commissioner Poizner Releases - Tips to Avoid Being Scammed!

Information from Insurance Commissioner Poizner 

Press release issued 2/18/10.

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Here are some tips and facts to help avoid being victimized by an insurance scam:

• Immediately contact your insurance company and/or insurance agent. If you don't have the contact information, the Department of Insurance can help or you can call (800) 927-HELP (4357).

• Don't sign any contracts for repairs or other needs until you have spoken directly to your insurance company representative or agent.

• Demand to see identification from anyone contacting you regarding your claim. Ask to see the California adjuster's license and note the license number and full name. Do not rely upon a business card.

• There are two types of insurance adjusters - private insurance adjusters, representing insurance companies such as Farmers, State Farm, or AAA and public adjusters, who represent insurance claimants.

• Insurance company adjusters are employed by insurance companies. They do not charge a fee. Public adjusters work for and represent insurance claimants. They do charge a fee. Generally, the fee is a percentage of your entire insurance settlement amount.

• Public adjusters cannot solicit your business while the loss is underway, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. and for seven calendar days after the disaster.

• A public adjuster contract can be cancelled by you within 72 hours of signing.

• It is illegal for a public adjuster to advance money as an inducement to sign a contract.

• Public adjusters may not offer referral fees in excess of $100.

• Public adjusters may not have an interest in any contractor, demolition company, or any entity making repairs to your property.

• Public adjusters may not use a badge as identification.

• Beware of anyone attempting to rush you into signing a contract.

• Beware of any contractor attempting to have you sign a contract or begin demolition and clean-up.

• Beware of any attorney urging you to sign any documents.

Other contact information:

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY:

1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or www.fema.gov

CONTRACTORS STATE LICENSE BOARD:

1-800-321-CSLB (2752) or www.cslb.ca.gov

NATIONAL INSURANCE CRIME BUREAU:

1-888-815-9064 or www.nicb.org

Commissioner Poizner oversees 16 CDI Enforcement Branch regional offices throughout the state. Approximately 2,000 insurance fraud-related arrests have been made by the Department of Insurance's enforcement division since Commissioner Poizner took office in 2007 - more arrests than have been made during any other two year period, under any previous insurance commissioner.

*** Servpro of Point Loma is a Ready San Diego Business Alliance Member. Feel free to contact us anytime for safety tips! ***