Gestión de la emergencia ante eventos de inundación por tsunami en Chile: el caso de Puerto Saavedra

Abstract

Emergency management of tsunami floods in Chile was studied in the urban area of Puerto Saavedra, Araucanía Region. This procedure consisted of three stages: (1) risk assessment and zoning based on the methodology proposed by the United Nations (UN), (2) implementation of citizen participation workshops, according to the AIDEP methodology, and (3) implementation of maps indicating safety areas and evacuation routes. The results showed two risk categories: maximum, associated to the urban area, and no risk, associated to mountain range. The community did not perceive the risk of flooding due to tsunami as a maximum, which depended on the location of housing developments and the prioritization of the most immediate risks. The approach of this study is useful for updating civil protection plans in coastal areas, an experience that can be replicated in the coastal districts of the country and the rest of Latin America.