Sedulity 2: Aftershock (Sedulity Saga) Read Free Page B

Alaska. Canada and Mexico have also issued coastal
evacuation orders, as have the nations of Central America.
    “As those who have been watching are aware,
in the past half hour we witnessed giant tsunami waves hit the Panama Canal
with disastrous results. We are receiving additional reports of tsunami strikes
along the coasts of Costa Rica and Nicaragua now, but have no live television
coverage of those events. Based on what has been seen elsewhere, we must assume
catastrophic damage. We can also predict that these waves will continue to move
north, striking the Pacific coasts of Honduras, El Salvador, and Mexico before
reaching the West Coast of the United States in the next few hours. If you are
anywhere within ten miles of the Pacific Ocean it is imperative that you
evacuate inland and seek high ground immediately.
    “As we saw in Panama, where portions
of the wave swept across the whole isthmus to spill into the Caribbean, these
waves can grow even bigger as they approach land and can travel much farther
than ten miles inland, especially along rivers, canals, and low-lying terrain.
Therefore, experts recommend reaching an elevation of several thousand feet
above sea level, or continuing inland as far as possible before the waves
arrive. Avoid low lying rivers and valleys leading towards the ocean, as these
can channel the force of a tsunami and drive it much further inland.”
    The televised picture shifted from a replay of the
destruction in Panama to a view of the Griffith Observatory in the Hollywood
Hills. The familiar face of GNN anchor Fox Rusher was front and center, with
clouds of smoke drifting past the observatory in the background and throngs of
people mingling around the building. Fox was wearing his usual dark suit and
trademarked straight face, although both looked a bit frayed. The Washington
anchor handed off to him by saying, “And
now we turn to live coverage from the scene of disaster in California.”
    “This is Fox Rusher reporting live
from the Griffith Observatory, on a large hill above the earthquake devastated
City of Angels. From here we can see across the entire Los Angeles Basin and
all the way to the Pacific Ocean, at least where the view is not obstructed by
smoke from thousands of fires that have sprung up since the region was struck
by a major earthquake earlier today. As the camera pans past the observatory
and out of over the city you will notice that a large crowd is gathering here
at the top of Griffith Park. Most of these people had to hike up this mountain,
others arrived on bicycles and motorcycles, a few even got here on horseback,
because virtually every road in the city is impassable for normal vehicles.
These people came up here seeking the safety of high ground in anticipation of
massive tsunamis that are expected to arrive later today. All of these people
survived the earthquake, but soon realized there was no possibility of getting
out of the city before the next disaster strikes. Their only alternative was to
head for the hills. As you can see, the road and hiking trails leading up into
Griffith Park are packed with more people, all making their way up towards the perceived
safety of the observatory.”
    “We can see that, Fox,” commented the anchorman in the New
York studio. “But are you sure that hill
will be high enough to ride out the tsunamis?”
    “I sure hope so,” Fox chuckled dryly. “I’m told that the elevation of the Griffith
Observatory here atop Mount Hollywood is more than eleven hundred feet above
sea level.   As I mentioned, we’re also
more than ten miles from the coast. I can’t imagine any tsunami threatening
this location. However, there are growing concerns about the threat of
wildfires.” His expression faltered before the camera panned away to show a
wider view of the city below. “The
earthquake has ruptured gas pipes and toppled power lines all over the region,
sparking countless fires. Some of them are merging and moving towards