A roaring sound as an indicator of an approaching tsunami should be emphasized in tsunami education materials. Spits are dangerous places in tsunami-prone areas. The spit averages about 100 m in width and is no higher than a few meters above sea level. Even if the people in these villages had taken immediate action after the earthquake, they were too far from higher ground or inland sanctuaries to take refuge. Although a 24-hour emergency contact point had been established by NDES, it was not operational at the time of the tsunami.
Inadequate assessment slows response.
Aitape had damage and injuries from the tsunami, but no one there considered that other areas may have been hit harder. Assessment of the hardest hit areas was slow, resulting in a belated response and additional fatalities. Areas vulnerable to tsunami had not been identified beforehand and there was no plan or strategy to assess all vulnerable locations. Injuries caused by tsunami need immediate care. Survivors said their wounds did not bleed, a common result of shock.