Tsunami/Volcano

Emergency Procedures

Tsunami

While the main campus is not in immediate danger from tsunami, some satellite locations are close to the water. In addition, members of the Western community may be near the shore as part of university-related activities.

Tsunami Watch 

  • Listen to your radio, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio*, or TV for updates on the watch.
  • Know your safest evacuation route to higher ground well in advance.

Tsunami Warning 

  • Move to higher ground or inland. If no higher ground is near, go to upper levels of reinforced buildings.
  • Continue to monitor your local radio or NOAA weather radio* (see below) for further information and instructions.
  • Wait for the “All Clear” from authorities before you return anywhere.

City Meeting Location for Assistance

Coastal Evacuation Signs

Tsunami evacuation routes were developed to help coastal residents and visitors find safer locations in case of an earthquake and tsunami. Evacuation signs have been placed along coastal roadways to indicate the direction inland or to higher ground.
In some places, there may be more than one direction available to reach safer areas. These routes may be marked with several signs showing additional options for evacuation. You should know the evacuation routes for your area.

Note on NOAA Weather Radio

NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) requires a special radio receiver or scanner capable of picking up the signal. Broadcasts are found in the VHF public service band at seven VHF frequencies from 162.400MHz to 162.550 MHz. Listen to NWR online at weather.gov/nwr/

Volcano and Falling Ash

Listen to your radio for information.

  • If you have asthma or another respiratory condition - or have a child with asthma - pay attention to symptoms such as wheezing and coughing, or more severe symptoms such as chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath and severe fatigue.
    • Stay indoors and follow your asthma management plan.
    • Contact your doctor if you have trouble breathing.
  • Wear goggles to protect your eyes. If you wear contact lenses, protect your eyes by wearing glasses or protective goggles or by removing your contacts.
  • Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants to protect your skin.
  • Use a dust-mask or hold a damp or wet cloth or handkerchief over your face to help breathing.
  • If you find ash in your drinking water, use an alternate source of drinking water such as purchased bottled water.
  • Stay indoors until the ash has settled unless there is a danger of the roof collapsing.
  • Close doors, windows, and all ventilation in the house (chimney vents, furnaces, air conditioners, fans, and other vents).
  • Clear roofs and rain gutters of ashfall. Ashfall is very heavy and can cause buildings to collapse. Use extreme caution when working on a roof.
  • Avoid running vehicle engines. Driving can stir up volcanic ash that can clog engines, damage moving parts, and stall vehicles.
  • If you must drive, keep speed down to 35 MPH or slower. Be prepared to change oil, oil filter and air filters frequently (every 50 to 100 miles in heavy dust and every 500 to 1,000 miles in light dust).
  • As much as possible, keep ash out of buildings, machinery, air and water supplies, downspouts, storm drains, etc.
  • Protect dust-sensitive electronics.