I’ve always wanted to go to Norway and see the migration of the
lemmings, where they swarm to the edge of the bluffs and often
plunge into the sea. I haven’t made it yet, but I saw the next best
thing.
Dear Editor,
I’ve always wanted to go to Norway and see the migration of the lemmings, where they swarm to the edge of the bluffs and often plunge into the sea. I haven’t made it yet, but I saw the next best thing.
The recent earthquake in Japan caused a tsunami warning, actually more of an advisory along our coast. People who lived along the three sea level neighborhoods in Santa Cruz County were advised to go to higher ground to avoid possible problems from a projected two to three-foot tsunami. While this tsunami did extensive damage to the boat harbor, it didn’t endanger any coastal neighborhoods. It didn’t even inundate the beachfront streets.
In Watsonville, over three miles from the beach, which is backed by 30-foot sand dunes, thousands of people crowded the streets, stopping traffic for miles, in a effort to get away. Some went as far as Hollister, about 25 miles inland. At most of the schools perhaps 10 percent of the students showed up. I can only guess about the businesses that tried to open without their employees.
A bit of media hype, an uninformed populace and the herd instinct can create a disaster where none exists.
Meade Fischer, Watsonville
