We have a Tsunami Evacuation Route sign on our street. I cycle by it a couple of times a day and have never really paid it much attention before. Even with the terrible tsunami on Boxing Day in 2004, I’d taken the attitude of ‘well, that wouldn’t happen here.’
The peninsula we live on is just a flat, narrow piece of land with ocean on one side and the harbour on the other. A massive tsunami would just roll straight across. It’s a terrifying thought. Yesterday afternoon, after the awful tsunami in Samoa, we were warned that it was heading for the California and Oregon coasts. Of course, by the time it reached us, it was little more than a small series of waves but hearing that the LA beaches had been closed, and then the OC beaches were closed, was unnerving.
Life in California is idyllic but there’s a price to pay including tsunami threats, wildfires and earthquakes. As we head into autumn, the sun continues to shine; we haven’t had rain for months and probably won’t have any rain for a few more weeks. Then a small earthquake rattles through and reminds you that this area of the world has its downside.
The Station wildfire is still uncontained in LA County; apparently it’s the largest wildfire in LA in modern times. It didn’t affect us here in Orange County but we could see the smoke from the beach. It looked like a giant mushroom cloud rising up. It’s that time of year, especially September and November when the Santa Anas blow, fanning the flames of the wildfires. Santa Anas? They’re strong, extremely dry winds, which sweep through Southern California in the autumn and winter. It’s something you quickly get used to living here. As soon as there’s wind, a fire will start, often unfortunately, in the form of an arson attack. The combination of the dry winds and incredibly brittle vegetation means the fires take off at an alarming rate.
The first time I lived in Orange County, there were terrible fires in Laguna Beach and many homes were lost. It’s just a few miles away from us and ash rained down, covering cars and streets. Yesterday we received a tsunami warning; today we’ve been issued with a fire weather watch warning.
Once you’ve dealt with the tsunamis and wildfires, you have the earthquakes left to contend with. I’ve been through two 6+ earthquakes both of which occurred early in the morning when we were asleep. It felt as though a giant was at the end of the bed shaking it violently. They’re terrifying. You have no idea how bad it’s going to get. Will it stop just as soon as it started? Will it get even worse? You just ride it out. Sometimes they’re very jerky, sometimes like rolling waves. You just pray your house won’t fall down and your family will be safe. Oh, and that a massive tsunami won’t then roll in off the coast. There’s even a thing such as ‘earthquake weather.’ It’s when it’s very hot and still, there’s something in the air. Hard to describe, but very recognizable.
No, we don’t have rain, frost, snow or tornadoes but we do have our fair share of natural events that keep us on our toes, prepare earthquake kits (no I haven’t done that, I should) and discuss with our children what to do if the tsunami sirens sound. It’s the price you pay to live here.
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Wow. Must be terrifying to be in an earthquake. Do you not have to get under a table or something?
Earthquakes sound terrifying.
It’s been quite an education living in tornado alley. We have very dramatic thunderstorms round here too. It teaches you to respect nature – England seems very tame from that point of view.
Hi Lorna! Quick intro — Rachel here. I live in Huntington Beach and am about to jump the pond to live in Norwich England. I’ve lived here in “the OC” (said with snooty emphasis) for three years now and had a freak-out moment when I first saw these signs. Locals reassure me, though, that a Tsunami couldn’t possibly effect us because of the Channel Islands that act as a barrier. One friend told me there was a complete fiasco at the HB city hall meeting following the 2004 Thailand Tsunami where gobs and gobs of money was spent to put up these “evacuation route” signs. I think there is more public politics involved in these than real concern. Earthquakes, on the other hand — are another matter. Having been in a big-ish one in San Francisco — I really think they are something to be prepared for.
I just have to say aside from all of this — I love your blog and I’m happy I found it! You have an excellent writing style!
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