noaa's video: The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: A NOAA scientist s story of survival

On December 26, 2004, while he was on vacation in Thailand, NOAA scientist Dr. Dwayne Meadows was swept away in the one of the first waves of the Indian Ocean tsunami. In this first-hand account, hear Dr. Meadows' story of survival and about the need to be prepared should a tsunami hit your area at home or abroad. For facts about tsunamis and tips for being prepared, please visit www.weather.gov/tsunamisafety. For late-breaking tsunami news, watches and warnings from NOAA's National Weather Service on Twitter, follow @NWS_PTWC and @NWS. Transcript: I was vacationing in Thailand the day of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. I was in my beachfront bungalow preparing to go snorkeling, my back was to the ocean. Lots of people were on the beach and saw the sea recede about 1/4 mile out to sea, leaving fish and the sea floor exposed. Nobody knew that meant a tsunami was coming. By the time the wave came in and I heard people yelling, I had no time to leave, only to brace and hold my breath. My bungalow collapsed around me and I dove through where the wall had been. I ended up under water, twisting, spinning, flipping in the dark. You know I was just trying to swim up and I had no idea where up was but just… clawing for the surface. It never got any lighter. And you know, different scenes from your life flash by, and I remember very specifically like, sort of talking to my son in my head. I said my goodbyes. Finally, I popped to the surface. I got a few breaths and thought I'd be ok. But debris was hitting me everywhere. I slammed into a tree, something got caught between my sandal and foot, pulling me under. I got the sandal off as my breath was running out again. Still the wave pushed me as fast as a white-water river. By the time the water calmed, I was probably 1/4 mile out to sea. When I got to shore, I saw destroyed bungalows and three-story concrete hotels that had been totally gutted. There were screams and I saw victims everywhere. But, I saw the sea level was down and realized another wave was coming. I knew we wouldn't survive another wave, so I led a group of survivors inshore, pushing some folks to leave their dead behind. We outran the next wave. Had the world been better prepared that day, the damage and loss could have been less. We’ve come a long way over the 10 years since this disaster. NOAA has developed better and faster capabilities to detect tsunamis and to protect and warn the affected areas. We also have better coordination and evacuation plans. But the best defense you can have is your own preparedness. You should learn the basics about tsunamis. Having been through it, tsunami preparedness can save your life.