Tsunami

Last Friday started out like any other day. I was ready for the weekend and had taken my shower and was eating breakfast while checking my email. It was shortly after 7am when the phone rang. I wondered who would be calling so early and assumed that it was one of the boys. I was surprised to hear the concerned voice of a co-worker. It was Carrie and she asked me "Should I come in to work this morning or not?" She proceeded to tell me about the earthquake in Japan the previous night and that we were under a tsunami warning. The first wave was supposed to hit in thirty minutes!

Patti overheard the conversation and grabbed the phone to call and warn the boys. The apartment where they live in Sunny Brae is in the Tsunami Danger Zone. The route I take to work south on Highway 101 leads right beside Humboldt Bay as you cross through the corridor into Eureka. If a tsunami hit, that entire area would be flooded.

I normally leave for work around 7:30 but was hesitant to do so. I decided to wait a few minutes past 7:30 to see what happened, realizing that I would be late for work.

I checked our stock of canned goods in the pantry and filled up some jars and jugs with water. I wanted to be on the safe side, just in case something happened and the water supply was undrinkable. I left Patti a list of things not to forget, just in case she had to evacuate and head for the hills.

We turned on the radio and heard the news that we should expect a tsunami wave of up to 8 feet and that the warning was in effect for the next twelve hours. People were warned to stay away from the beaches and to be prepared to move to higher ground. The radio listed school closings and spoke of evacuations taking place in Arcata, and also in Eureka, south of 4th street. The office building where I work is on 6th street.

Needless to say, my heart was racing and I was a bit apprehensive as I drove to work. I didn't want to leave the family, not wanting to be separated if disaster struck. As I neared Humboldt Bay, I noticed that the water in the bay was very low. There were hardly any cars on the highway and there was an eerie silence. As I entered Eureka, the city was deserted. Not a single car was in the parking lot at Target. McDonalds and Burger King were closed, as were all of the other businesses as I entered town. I punched the time clock and went to work at my desk, the window facing in the direction of Humboldt Bay.

We were all nervous and talkative, keeping our eyes glued to the internet as the morning seemed to drag on forever. Reports began to flood in as the tsunami waves came. The waves traveled up the mouth of the Mad River, one of my favorite places to hang out. In the summer, I often go there to explore the sea shore and dunes, and to watch the seals sunbathe on the banks of the river as it bends and meets the ocean.


In this photo you can see the tsunami wave traveling up the Mad River. Our house sits approximately in the area of the red circle on the far right.


Soon, we heard the news that the tsunami struck Crescent City. The docks were completely devastated and over 30 boats were destroyed. We also heard the terrible news that a man had been swept out to sea while taking pictures near the mouth of the Klamath River.



We all breathed a sigh of relief as the tsunami warning was lowered to an alert later in the afternoon. We were very fortunate this time. Crescent City and the town of Brookings, Oregon took the brunt of the tsunami. We were spared... this time!

My heart goes out to the Japanese people who have just faced the worst natural disaster in their history. I can't imagine the horror that they endured as first the earthquake struck, and then the tsunami. Thousands of lives have been lost, and even more lives have been changed forever as Japan deals with the aftermath of this devastation.

I consider living near the Pacific Ocean a privilege. The North Coast of California, in my own opinion, is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Sacrifices have to be made to live here, as we are one of the most expensive communities in the state. There is also the risk of earthquakes and tsunamis. Scientists predict that we could experience a disaster similar to Japan's. We live with that reality every day.

I love the ocean and enjoy walking along the sea shore, exploring the tide pools, and running from the waves as they crash onto shore. But I have learned to respect the sea, and to not turn my back on it. It is beautiful, yet dangerous. And that is the way that Nature intends for it to be.