The SES is the designated combat agency for tsunami. Following is information on what is a tsunami and how you can be prepared should one occur.
An important role of the SES is to respond to the flooding and damage caused by a tsunami. The SES is the designated ‘combat agency’ for tsunami.
A tsunami is a type of wave generated by one of four causes, these are:
- Vertical movement of the sea floor as the result of a large earthquake
- Submarine or coastal volcanic eruptions
- Meteor impacts
- Coastal landslides and slumps, either land-based or submarine.
The NSW coast has been affected by over 30 tsunamis over the past 200 years but these are generally too small to be noticed. The largest tsunami to have affected the NSW coast in recent times occurred in May 1960 after a 9.5 magnitude earthquake in Chile resulted in a 1 metre tidal fluctuation at Fort Denison in Sydney Harbour. This caused some damage to boats and coastal infrastructure.
The following quote provides some indication of the damage caused by the 1960 tsunami in Sydney:
“Freak currents tore away moored boats and upset shipping. The huge tide tore from their moorings about 30 launches and small craft and two barges at the spit: swirled the barges in among drifting launches, overturning several of them and damaging others: smashed one of the barges into the spit bridge. Set adrift 800 logs from moorings at Balmain shipping yard, which were then swept down the Parramatta River. Swept away a strip 100 yards by 60 yards from Clontarf Reserve Point Park exposing a high tension submarine cable: in one tense moment a 30ft. fishing trawler sank in Throsby Creek near Newcastle. Eight launches were ripped from their moorings in Throsby Creek and swept half a mile into Newcastle Harbour.” (Brisbane Courier Mail, 25 May 1960)
Recently the SES has worked closely with other state and federal Govt agencies in the development of a tsunami plan for NSW. This sets out the responsibilities of the SES and other agencies in warning of and managing the effects of a tsunami.
The SES is ideally placed to provide assistance along with other emergency services. Should a tsunami occur the SES would coordinate the warning and evacuation of at-risk areas prior to the tsunamis arrival. Once a tsunami impacted the coast the SES would be active in such tasks as reconnaissance of areas likely to have been impacted, making temporary repairs to damaged buildings, rescuing people trapped by flooding caused by the tsunami and providing isolated communities with supplies.
Before a Tsunami Strikes
- If you live on or regularly visit the coast get to know the tsunami history and the flood prone areas of your community.
- Know the nearest high ground and the safest routes to it.
- Keep your family emergency kit up to date and know where it is.
- Heed natural warnings - earthquakes, rumbling or sudden changes in the behaviour of coastal seas can all be signs of an approaching tsunami.
When a Tsunami Warning is Issued
- Monitor local TV and radio closely.
- Follow the instructions of emergency services and local officials - some areas may be warned via loud hailer or mobile public address.
- Be aware a tsunami is a series of waves - there may be more than one wave and the first wave may not be the largest. Wait for the all clear before returning to your home.
- If you cannot reach high ground, shelter in the upper floor of the closest sturdy building and stay there until advised it is safe to leave. Homes and small buildings are not designed to withstand tsunami forces.
- NEVER go onto the beach, a breakwater, estuary or harbour to watch a tsunami. Stay away from the water's edge. Tsunami can move faster than people can run. When you see a tsunami you are too close to escape it.
- If you are on a ship or boat at sea, move to deep water. Do not return to port until advised it is safe to do so. Damaging wave activity and unpredictable currents can affect harbours for a period of time after the initial tsunami impact. If you are on a ship or boat in shallow water close to shore and there is sufficient time, return to land and secure your boat before seeking high ground.
- NEVER return to low lying areas unless you have been told it is safe by emergency services or public officials.
Further information is available from:
