Agenda - City of Santa Monica

Planning Assumptions:
Based on current scientific and disaster planning information, the majority of the City of
Santa Monica is well protected from damaging impacts of a near source or distant
source tsunami. The height of the Santa Monica Bluffs, north of the Santa Monica Pier,
protects much of the City from any damaging impacts from a tsunami event. South of
the Santa Monica Pier, the length of sand between the water line and development, in
most cases, is wide enough that impacts to the City resulting from a tsunami event are
expected to be minimal. While the City of Santa Monica’s evacuation zone includes all
streets west of 4 th street, this has been planned with an abundance of caution, and the
effects of a significant tsunami event are expected to produce ―ankle deep water on
Main Street‖ according to the leading researchers and scientists
According to the leading researchers, The City of Santa Monica is largely protected
from the damaging effects of a tsunami event. The businesses and residents located
within the potential inundation zone for a tsunami event, prudent planning will allow for
a worst case scenario. If a distant or local event has occurred and generated a
tsunami, it might be expected that the following could occur depending on the size and
scope of the undersea disruption:
The activation of the city EOC if the event is large enough to trigger a tsunami of
potentially dangerous proportion.
The Tsunami inundation zone is identified as the four blocks east of the Ocean,
south of Colorado Boulevard.
There may be loss of life.
There may be significant property damage.
Large-scale evacuations may be necessary causing otherwise non-impacted
jurisdictions to become a host for displaced populations, thus requiring advanced
coordination with potential host cities for routes and safe refuge centers.
Transportation and evacuation routes may be damaged /disrupted.
Power outages may occur and communication systems may be damaged.
Economic losses can occur that will require business resumption planning.
Losses to the tourist industry.
Releases of toxic pollutants due to the failure of the Santa Monica's Urban Runoff
Recycling Facility.
Impact to the City of Santa Monica Annenberg Public Beach House located at 415
Pacific Coast Highway
Impact of people at the City of Santa Monica’s Senior Center located on 1450 Ocean
Avenue
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