the non-tsunami alert

There was a flurry of activity in the pueblita yesterday morning as news of the earthquake in Chile and the impending tsunami blew through town. I had been monitoring the weather reports carefully for any news about tidal activity along the Pacific coast but the only place that was mentioned was Malibu, about 2000 miles north of here. We deduced from all evidence that we would not be affected and so went about our daily rounds. Others in town, however, especially those with homes directly on the beach, took a different view and packed up and left. There was a 1-foot tidal "surge" in Manzanillo, 35 miles north, but otherwise absolutely no change in tidal activity. There was never any alert or warning here.

Nonetheless, it is interesting to contemplate what we would have done if there had actually been any danger. It would have depended on what was forecast. Huge, monster waves that would have engulfed the entire town? Get outta Dodge, no question and quickly. But a moderate surge, 6' to 10'? We are two blocks back from the actual surf line, on a very slight incline, with most of the living area on the second floor (all the better to see the surf and what it's doing). A surge of that magnitude would probably not have affected us except perhaps to make a mess of the downstairs garden had it seeped under our front gate. We have talked about an evacuation plan in case of another big earthquake like the one in 2003 that did so much damage in Colima, Tecoman, Armeria and here. We just happened to be up in Guadalajara when it hit and did not go through the trauma of the event. The house suffered no real damage; a few cracks here and there but that was all. Of course this evacuation plan depends on the garage not falling in on the car, the garage doors being operable, the roads being open and clear, and no one else clogging up the highway. Some plan!