Powerful earthquakes can have devastating consequences for the population and the affected region as a whole. No other natural phenomenon can cause such widespread catastrophe in mere minutes, requiring extensive and prolonged emergency measures. In these circumstances, it’s especially important to consider that:
- Seismic catastrophes occur without warning.
- In the event of a significantly destructive earthquake, the consequences manifest within minutes.
- The destructive effects of strong seismic activity are immense.
A seismic catastrophe places immense demands on municipal authorities and rescue services, who must address the earthquake’s aftermath, which varies from region to region. The complexity of rescue and evacuation efforts is exacerbated by secondary events like aftershocks, tsunamis, and landslides. Therefore, to manage the consequences of an earthquake, effectively assist the population, and enable future regional recovery, a comprehensive evacuation plan is essential.
The Importance of Post-Earthquake Evacuation
Earthquakes and their aftermath not only cause injuries and fatalities due to building collapses, but uncontrolled seismic tremors disrupt infrastructure, access to drinking water, food, and medicine, and damage utility networks, roads, and vehicles. Rapid evacuation from the disaster zone allows people to:
- Reach a safe location.
- Receive adequate nourishment.
- Have warmth and relative comfort, especially during cold weather.
- Access qualified medical assistance.
The magnitude 7.2 Spitak earthquake on December 7, 1988, which completely isolated the city from the rest of Armenia, resulted in 45,000 deaths (1.5% of the republic’s population) and 140,000 injuries. The inability to conduct a timely evacuation contributed to mass casualties from cold, lack of medical care, and led to a national-scale disaster.
Centralized or Individual Evacuation – Which is Better?
If you live in a seismically active region, you must prepare for possible evacuation. Keep your vehicle’s fuel tank at least half full, or maintain an adequate fuel reserve. You and your family need warm clothing, food, water, and a planned evacuation route to a safe location for several days. This could be with relatives, friends, acquaintances, or a secure area with parking for trailers or trucks. Be aware that the most convenient roads will likely be congested, so factor this into your route planning.
It’s crucial to understand that with individual evacuation, you are solely responsible for your family’s safety. Advantages of individual evacuation include:
- The ability to take pets without relying on animal rescue centers.
- Leaving the disaster zone quickly.
- Traveling to trusted individuals who can guarantee necessary assistance.
Unfortunately, not everyone can evacuate by car after an earthquake. Children, the elderly, people with disabilities, the injured, and those without vehicles must rely on designated municipal evacuation programs. These plans are developed at the governmental level, taking into account the specific characteristics of the affected region, and facilitate safe evacuation by road, water, or air. Immediately following seismic activity, dedicated centers are activated for mass information dissemination. These centers:
- Rapidly disseminate alerts:Utilize secure communication channels to quickly spread information.
- Leverage connected devices:Send alerts via internet-connected devices and mobile networks.
- Provide ongoing updates:Continuously deliver overviews of the current situation.
- Inform about assistance:Quickly inform the population about available aid and evacuation procedures.
Centralized evacuation after an earthquake is implemented only after a comprehensive assessment of the situation, considering all aspects, and is adjusted based on incoming data.
How to Act During an Evacuation
Every individual or family residing in a seismically active region should have an emergency plan. Regardless of whether you plan to evacuate independently or as part of a centralized evacuation, you should:
- Attend preparedness events:Participate in municipal events focused on emergency preparedness.
- Participate in drills:Take part in drills organized by local authorities and rescue services to understand how to act during an emergency.
- Secure important documents:Store vital documents (birth certificates, passports, driver’s licenses, financial agreements, insurance policies) in a safe place, ready to be taken during evacuation.
- Maintain an emergency kit:Regularly update the contents of an emergency backpack containing non-perishable food, drinking water, warm clothing, communication devices, flashlights, and charging devices.
- Maintain contact with your emergency contact:Regularly communicate with the person you plan to stay with after an individual evacuation.
Take your earthquake preparedness planning seriously. Ensure all family members are familiar with the evacuation plan and designate a meeting point for after the seismic activity ceases. A sudden earthquake can separate you from your loved ones, so preparedness is crucial.