Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, and Tsunami:

San Antonio is far enough inland from the coastal region that the threat of a tsunami is not very likely, however as the campus expands and new programs emerge it is likely that classes will be offered in the costal plain region of Texas, namely Corpus Christi, Texas.  Since those classes will be on the coast the possibility of a tsunami becomes more of a threat.

Geologist now tell us that a real threat of volcanic action off the east coast of Africa exists that could lead to the collapse of an entire section of that volcanic island.  La Palma is a stratovolcano, and is the largest of the western Canary Islands. It stretches 21,320 ft (6500 m) above the surrounding ocean floor. Two main rock layers separated by a line about 1400 feet (427 m) above sea level make up La Palma. The lower layer is made of pillow lavas cut by basaltic dikes. The thickness of the pillow lavas range from 33 to 1150 ft (10 to 350 m). Most of the dikes are located within ~2 miles (3 km) of the west coast. The upper layer consists of basaltic lavas and pyroclastic rocks.

The threat posed is that should the volcano at La Palma collapse the island it would cause a massive tsunami as much as 1,000 feet high to rush across the Atlantic Ocean towards the United States at speeds in excess of 500 miles per hour.  Virtually all shore lines in the United States become a target of such a wave; however the worse damage is expected to hit the eastern seaboard form the areas of North Carolina to Maine.   The Texas coast line is not immune from such a disaster, and therefore should be considered as a threat to any classes conducted at the costal areas of the state.

The USGS believes that they will be able to post at least a three hour warning in the event of such a tsunami.  While that is hardly enough time for anyone located in the coastal regions to evacuate far enough inland to escape it does provide enough time for anyone in the San Antonio area to move to higher ground.  San Antonio is located at 29°27’36” north and 98°30’46.8” west, and sits at 650 feet above sea level.  If tidal wave, tidal surge, or tsunami 1,000 feet high hits the coast of Texas then San Antonio will be covered by 350 feet of water.  Citizens must be able to evacuate to the north and west of the city to areas above the anticipated wave height.  On the next page is a Texas map showing the elevations in the state.  Residents will need to move to areas west and north of the red line to be safe.

The Texas coast has been hit several times in the last century by hurricanes and tropical storms.  The high winds accompanying these storms have occasionally caused damage in San Antonio. 

In the event a hurricane or tropical storm approaches the Texas coast there will be ample warning to evacuate any classes being conducted in the costal sites and the campus in San Antonio.  The decision to close classes and evacuate will be made by the Dean based on the strength of the approaching storm.

Action

If there is severe weather during the normal work day, the senior member of the Crisis Management Team available on site at the time will decide whether or not to evacuate the building, send the staff home, and cancel classes or to seek shelter in-place.

If there is severe weather after normal work hours, the senior member of the Crisis Management Team available on site at the time of the power failure or the Security Guard will decide whether or not to evacuate the building and cancel classes or have everyone seek shelter in-place for safety.  In the absence of the Security Guard any instructor on site can make that determination.

Texas elevation map:

Texas' Worst Hurricanes in 20th Century

Deadliest Hurricanes in Texas History Hurricane Year Category Storm Deaths Galveston 1900 4 6,000 Corpus Christi/Keys 1919 4 600* Audrey (Sabine Pass) 1957 4 390 Galveston 1915 4 275 Carla (Port O'Connor) 1961 4 46 Velasco 1909 3 41 Freeport 1932 4 40 Brownsville 1933 3 40 *More than 500 of 600-900 estimated deaths lost on ships at sea. The Texas estimate of deaths was 284. Sources: National Hurricane Center, Texas Weather by George Bomar. Source: National Hurricane Center

http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/commish/storms/hsplash.html

For those who are interested in tracking the path of hurricanes and tropical storms, there are two maps shown below, one is the Atlantic and one is the Caribbean.

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