Leslie's Omnibus

Road Conditions

7:58 p.m. And if the earthquake in Chile and resulting tsunami weren't caused by global warming after all, then:


Right?

5:50 p.m. Well, that was interesting.

5:47 p.m. From PTWC, thanks to everyone who listened to the warnings, obeyed directions and cooperated with authorities.

5:44 p.m. PTWC is cancelling tsunami warning. Cautions waves and undertow still unstable. Say's he wouldn't go back in the ocean for at least the next couple of hours. (Can we run a lottery on how many tourists will ignore that?)

5:41 p.m. "Rushing water is a powerful thing. Only 6" of rushing water will sweep you off your feet." Good to know. "Tsunami is the #1 natural disaster killer in Hawaii and surf is the #1 accidental killer in Hawaii."

5:36 p.m. "This is what I live for. It's science at it's best."

5:33 p.m. FEMA is ready, just in case!

5:31 p.m. Kudos to PTWC and Civil Defense for a job well done.

5:26 p.m. Geology lesson over. But, sure as shootin', some idiot somewhere in the world will blame this all on global warming anyway.

5:23 p.m. Oooh! Geology lesson in plate tectonics and the Ring of Fire. Neat.

5:20 p.m. Golfers still hoping the golf courses open in time for them to get in a round this afternoon. Glad to see folks have priorities in order.

5:19 p.m. There have been 36 aftershocks in Chile since the initial earthquake. Sheesh.

5:17 p.m. Last tsunami activity of any magnitude was back in 1960. Anything they learn from this is helpful for the next time a tsunami comes.

5:14 p.m. For you mainlanders, "A tsunami wave is not a surfing wave; it's more like a very rapid tide." So take your surfboards and get off the beaches until the "all clear," you idiots.

5:09 p.m. More important questions -- Will city services open back up when the "all clear" is given? Golf courses, public parks, others? Incredible.

5:08 p.m. Civil Defense helicopters are gone and boats are being let back into Hilo Bay.

5:06 p.m. "All clear" anticipated in 20 minutes or so.

5:05 p.m. Tsunami warning for Vancouver, BC.

5:02 p.m. Another surge due in the next couple of minutes.

5:01 p.m. Got a relative in Hawaii and can't reach 'em by phone right now? According to KITV, they're more than likely safe and sound. Relax.

4:44 p.m. No "all clear" from State Civil Defense yet. Stay out of the water. Don't head home yet.

4:41 p.m. 4th wave just rolled in. Not quite as large as the last one.

4:39 p.m. Have to see a significant difference in the size of the surges before the watch is called off, and we haven't seen that yet.

4:36 p.m. There are people bringing their kids to the beach at Waikiki Bay to view the sights. It's still not safe. Be an idiot yourself, but get your kids out of there!

4:31 p.m. PTWC rep says, "I think we've dodged a bullet." But that doesn't mean the event is over.

4:28 p.m. PTWC rep says 6' oscillations from trough to crest of last tsunami wave. Not nearly as bad as anticipated. Still unwilling to say more than "wait and see."

4:27 p.m. Trough before next surge clearly visible in Mauna Loa Bay.

4:20 p.m. To idiot surfers at Waikiki -- "Even if it might not be dangerous, the surf isn't even that good right now." Get the hell out of the water.

4:10 p.m. Looting in Hawaiian Paradise Park area. There are opportunists even in paradise...

4:08 p.m. The mail is being delivered today; please don't go home to pick up if you live in a low-lying area. D'oh.

4:07 p.m. The bus is running today, except in evacuated areas. Important news!

4:05 p.m. Swells 1 meter high and one meter low so far.

4:04 p.m. PTWC rep unwilling to say it's a small-scale tsunami; "We'll have to wait and see."

4:02 p.m. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says Hilo Bay has had two small surges at 20 minute intervals.

3:45 p.m. CDT Tsunami event has been confirmed. Police chase people away from the beaches. As soon as they leave, the people come back so they "can see some waves." Idiots.

Want to follow the tsunami watch in Hawaii? KITV is streaming live. (And of course there are a few idiots ignoring every warning and playing on the beach or swimming in the water. Future Darwin Award winners, every one.)
Leslie

2 comments:

the one at the end of the bar said...

Don't mean to laugh but love your play by play of the tsunami

Omnibabe said...

Happy to provide your amusement for the afternoon!