Earthquakes Earthquakes are a shaking or trembling of the earth, caused by underground volcanic forces or by breaking and shifting of rock

beneath the surface. Although the area of greatest earthquake risk is the west coast, where tectonic activity occurs along the San Andreas fault, other areas of the United States are also at risk of earthquakes. For example, Memphis, Tennessee and St. Louis, Missouri are located along major faults. The map in Figure I-2 shows locations of moderate or greater earthquakes throughout the U.S. Earthquake Classifications Earthquakes are classified as small, moderate, major, or great based on the Richter scale (a measure of energy released during the quake). The Richter scale has a logarithmic base, so each increment on the scale is multiplied by a factor that is 10 times larger than the previous factor. (For example, an earthquake of magnitude 8.6 would not be twice as violent as one of 4.3, but rather would be 10,000 times worse.) Although there are other methods of determining earthquake intensity and magnitude, the Richter scale is the most widely used method today. Earthquake classifications based on Richter scale magnitudes are shown in the table below. Classifications Small Moderate Major Great Richter Scale Magnitudes 5.0 5.9 6.0 6.9 7.0 7.9 8.0 8.9 Table I-1. Earthquake Classifications

Earthquake Prediction Although it is still impossible to predict earthquakes accurately, scientists have been able to derive some probabilities about future earthquakes in the United States, including: Areas along the west coast are at risk for earthquakes every day. Major earthquakes appear to occur in cycles of between 50 and 275 years. It is likely that a major earthquake will hit California and perhaps other parts of the U.S. in the next decade or two. Tri-fold Brochure of City Specific Info Inundation Map & Evacuation Routes Tsunamis are the so-called tidal waves generated by some earthquakes. When you hear a tsunami warning, you must assume a dangerous wave is on its way. History shows that when great waves finally strike, they claim those who have ignored the warning. 1. All earthquakes do not cause tsunamis, but many do. If you live along the coast, on Newport Peninsula, or one of the islands in Newport Harbor, when you feel an earthquake or hear that an earthquake has occurred, evacuate immediately to higher ground . If you are on the beach, go inland to higher ground. The reason is that

if you feel the earthquake, it is less than 50 miles distant. At that distance, it can reach the coast in 15 minutes or less. Take a portable radio with you and listen for updates. 2. An earthquake in your area is a natural tsunami warning. Leave the beach and low-lying coastal areas immediately if you feel an earthquake. A tsunami is not a single wave, but a series of waves. Time between these great waves can be as long as 45 minutes from one wave to the next. Stay out of danger areas until the Newport Beach Police, Fire and/or Lifeguards issue an all-clear. Approaching tsunamis are sometimes heralded by a noticeable rise or fall of coastal water. This is natures tsunami warning and should be heeded. A small tsunami at one beach can be a giant wave a few miles away. Dont let the modest size of one make you lose respect for all. The Tsunami Warning System does not issue false alarms. When an ocean-wide warning is issued, a tsunami exists. When a regional warning is issued, a tsunami probably exists. Warnings can come from the Pacific Tsunami Warning center in Hawaii, or the Regional Warning Center located at Palmer, Alaska (Primary center that issues warnings for the Pacific Coast). All tsunamis are potentially dangerous, even though they may not damage every coastline they strike. Never go down to the beach to watch for a tsunami. When you can see the wave you may be too close to escape it. If you feel an earthquake or hear a Tsunami Warning, make sure your teenagers dont go to the beach. Often times they believe they can surf the large waves. They must be educated to the fact that these waves can be deadly! Sooner or later, tsunamis visit every coastline in the Pacific. Warnings apply to youif you live in any Pacific coastal area.

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10. During a tsunami emergency, the Newport Beach Police, Fire, and Lifeguards will try to save your life. Give them your fullest cooperation and follow all emergency responders orders.

Hurricanes and Coastal Storms Hurricanes are violent areas of low pressure forming in the tropical Atlantic Ocean from June to November. (Similar Western Pacific Ocean storms are called typhoons.) Hurricanes have winds of 75 miles per hour or more and are accompanied by torrential rains and along coastal regions storm surge. Although coastal storms may have hurricane-force winds and may cause similar kinds and amounts of damage, they are not classified as hurricanes because they do not originate in the tropics. Together, hurricanes and coastal storms cause billions of dollars in damage annually in the United States. Hurricane Classifications Hurricane strength is classified using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Damage Potential Scale. This scale correlates hurricane strength to barometric pressure, windspeed, and storm surge as shown in the table below. Category Barometric Windspeed Storm

I - Minimal II - Moderate III - Extensive IV - Extreme V - Catastrophic

Pressure (Inches) Above 28.94 28.50-28.91 27.91-28.47 27.17-27.88 Less Than 27.17

(Miles Per Hour) 74-95 96-110 111-130 131-155 More Than 155

Surge (Feet) 4-5 6-8 9-12 13-18 More than 18

Table I-2. Hurricane Classifications Hurricane Prediction On average, the coasts along the Gulf of Mexico and the Southeastern seaboard are struck by more than five hurricanes each year. Although meteorologists now have many ways in which to predict hurricanes, tracking storm movement and landfall remains an inexact science. The National Hurricane Center, located in Miami, Florida, has predicted that 1992 was the first year of a 10-year cycle of severe hurricane activity. The map in Figure I-3 on page I-12 shows areas of high hurricane and coastal storm activity. Tornadoes Tornadoes are powerful, circular windstorms that may be accompanied by winds of 200 or more miles per hour. Tornadoes may range in width from several hundred yards to more than one mile across. Although tornadoes may occur throughout most of the United States, areas in the Midwest and South are particularly susceptible to tornado activity. Parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida are at highest risk of tornado strike. (See the map in Figure I-4 on page I-15 showing tornado incidence.)

Floods A flood occurs any time a body of water rises to cover what is usually dry land. Floods have many causes, including heavy rain, spring snowmelt, hurricanes and coastal storms, and dam or levee failure. When flooding occurs, affected areas may sustain damage to structures and personal property, as well as severe damage to the environment in the form of soil erosion and deforestation, and damage to utilities and transportation systems. Flash floods, for which there is little or no warning, cause great risk to humans and animals. Land along rivers and streams, lakeshores, and coastlines are particularly susceptible to flooding. Under some conditions, however, even inland areas that are not normally threatened by flooding may be immersed. Flood Classifications Floods are measured according to the heights the waters reach. Their magnitude is based on the chances that water flow will equal or exceed a certain level on a recurring basis. Flood Prediction Satellite technology combined with river forecast centers and hydrologic service areas enable meteorologists to predict flood occurrence and severity with reasonable accuracy and provide warnings to those in high-risk areas. On average, rivers overflow their normal boundaries once every 2 years. Severe coastal flooding, however, can result in conjunction with any hurricane or coastal storm, the track of which cannot be predicted with complete accuracy. Clearly, the risk of damage or injury resulting from floods cannot be downplayed.

Some places are pretty safe to live. The East Coast has hurricanes and the West Coast has earthquakes. Tornadoes and thunderstorms plague the Plains. Floods and fires seem to be everywhere. Dotted around the country, however, are those places with little to worry about except the occasional rock falling from space or a garden-variety power outage. If you live in an area where the most disastrous thing that can happen involves losing cellular phone service or pizza delivery, there's really no reason to pack a disaster evacuation kit. However, if Murphy's Law is to be believed, disasters are coming, like it or not. To get ready to hunker down in your home for an extended period of "roughing it" without power or water, you need to have a few supplies on hand. y seven gallons of bottled water per person or pet; figuring a gallon per person per day, that's enough for a week y water purification tablets for extra emergency water supplies y food for a week, which doesn't need water or heat to prepare -- don't forget pet food y first aid kit y prescription and nonprescription medications y manual can opener y flashlight with fresh batteries y battery-powered lanterns (avoid candles) y battery-powered radio with fresh batteries y lighter or matches y wrenches to shut-off water and gas supplies (store next to the valves) Disaster Survival Tips for Home y use disposable cups, plates and utensils to conserve water y stay away from candles; emergency services may not be available to respond to fires y don't use outdoor grills indoors; you could give everyone in the house carbon monoxide poisoning y keep a regular phone (one that doesn't plug into a power outlet) for use during power outages y know how to treat water to add to your emergency water supply for extended periods y stay away from batteries if possible; use radios and flashlights that do not rely on batteries