Tsunami survival capsules for sale on the West Coast

Jeanne Johnson lives on the Pacific coast. If a tsunami should hit, her home would be under water.
She thinks she will survive—inside her tsunami capsule.

“I know what my plan is,’ Johnson explained. “Get myself in that capsule. Get whoever is here in the capsule. Get the dog in the capsule if there is room. Shut the door and just wait.”

A company in Washington started selling these capsules in Japan after tsunamis killed hundreds of thousands in Asia. Now U.S. residents are showing interest in the $13,000 spheres.

Johnson has fitted out hers with oxygen, food, a GPS locator, and other supplies.

There are evacuation routes and storm shelters. The former would be gridlocked, and the latter overcrowded.

“Even if you can go as fast as you could go, if everyone else is going that way too, you’d be hard pressed to get out in time,” Johnson said.

Not everyone thinks the capsules are the best idea. Most don’t think they are even needed.

Washington hasn’t been hit by a tsunami since 1964. With modern satellite tracking, everyone should get enough warning to get away from the coast.

The capsule gives Jeanne Johnson a sense of security. To her, that was worth $13,000.