Tragedy in SE Asia

[Eagler]

Originally posted by NUKE
The death toll is more than 44,000 now.

it will double if not triple before the counting is over

[DREDIOCK]

Originally posted by NUKE
The death toll is more than 44,000 now.

Just saw the same number reported

Then it went into a particularly absurd report on if it could happen on the east coast of the USA and how we arent doing much about it.
the Expert they had on kept saying it was FAR more likely to happen on the west coast. But the reporter kept harping on the east coast (trying to create news I assume).
In any event the reporter was talking about a system that would give people a 15 minute warning.

Now I saw another report that said this thing was moving at around 500 miles per hour.
Stuck me as odd the thought that 15 minutes was all the warning that would be needed.
To do what? Make out your last will?
Call your relatives and say goodbye?
Exactly what are  you gonna be able to do in 15 min to escape something that big bearing down on you at 500 MPH?

I am convinced most reporters take idiot pills first thing when they get up in the morning.

In any event. Terrible thing that happened over there.
But I seriously and sadly doubt any warning less then a day in advance would have had much effect on the death toll.

All we can do now is help the living and pray for the dead.

Very sad

[Gunthr]

But I seriously and sadly doubt any warning less then a day in advance would have had much effect on the death toll.

Actually, if you are on the beach and get a 15 min warning ahead of the tsunami, you could easily run a quarter mile inland and be completely safe. I think if a warning system were in place many of the people who died could have survived because instruments picked up the earthquake a full hour ahead of the tsunami's arrival...

[lada]

Originally posted by Vulcan
99% of those that died wouldn't have a clue what a tsunami is, nor what to do, and are likely not to believe it. Some of the footage showed a pile of people down at a beach to take photos after the first wave, only to get wasted by a second surge.

you are not serious are you ?

[DREDIOCK]

Originally posted by Gunthr
Actually, if you are on the beach and get a 15 min warning ahead of the tsunami, you could easily run a quarter mile inland and be completely safe. I think if a warning system were in place many of the people who died could have survived because instruments picked up the earthquake a full hour ahead of the tsunami's arrival...

Dunno. Judging from the film I am seeing It doesnt look like 1/4 mile was going to make that much of a difference.

Either way here in NJ if your at one of the popular shore areas such as  Seaside park  forget about 1/4 mile  its going to take you 15 min to go a block and much of that area is  barrier islands and only barely above sea level as it is.

[Gunthr]

I read that many of the victims were children because the tsunami was preceeded by what seemed like unusually high tide and waves that deposited all kinds of fish, leaving them flopping on the beach.

Word spread ,and a lot of kids went to down to the beaches to see this phenomenon - just in time for the tsunami.

[Gunthr]

Drediock - my impression is that you can definately save your life by getting away from the beach as far as you can in 15 mins. But not just linear distance - for instance, in NJ getting to the top floor of a sky scraper will save ya too.  As you point out, living on a low laying island is going to leave you pretty vulnerable - although I think you are still better off running towards the lee side.

[Vulcan]

Originally posted by lada
you are not serious are you ?

100% mate. Which bit you having difficult with?

[mora]

Even if most people have have heard the word tsunami and know what it is, most of them probably don't associate the sudden lowering of the sea level to it. Until now...

[Nilsen]

99% sounds _very high_ Vulcan. Alot of the dead are children and they may not know, but these people are not dumb so even if they may not know the word tsunami they most likely know about giant waves.

[Ripsnort]

Break out the check books folks, the world needs us now.

[Nilsen]

Originally posted by Ripsnort
Break out the check books folks, the world needs us now.

Already done

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by spitfiremkv
can't believe nobody comments on that...typical american attitude: **** the rest of the world, we don't give a damn!

Time to over-react with your check book.

WTG Neilsen,who's next?

[Vulcan]

Originally posted by Nilsen
99% sounds _very high_ Vulcan. Alot of the dead are children and they may not know, but these people are not dumb so even if they may not know the word tsunami they most likely know about giant waves.

Lets just say I know a lot of SE Asian's (Cambodians, Thai, Indonesians, Vietnamese), and the level of education in areas like those hit. "Dumb" has no bearing on education. And for most people in these areas education is minimal. Even for those well off their educations never really touch on the stuff most of "us" know about. Its just not that important to them yet, nor do they have the time for it.

[Masherbrum]

"The flooding uprooted land mines in Sri Lanka — torn for years by a civil war — threatening to kill or maim aid workers and survivors attempting to return to what's left of their homes."

This is insane.  

Karaya