Death toll hits 115,000

They can hit the United States too:

"The tsunami of 1946 was generated by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in the Aleutian Islands. This tsunami struck the Big Island of Hawaii on April 1st. The tsunami flooded the downtown area of Hilo killing 159 people and causing more than $26 million in damages."

THe date was very unfortunate, people figured the calls of tsunami were a joke.

Also the sudden drop in water level, draining of the harbors and the beaches characteristic of the moments before a tsunami strikes, lured people onto the beaches to investigate, putting them in more danger. Something they believe cause the deaths of many in Sunday's tsunami.

Plus this was interesting:

"Wild animals seem to have escaped the Indian Ocean tsunami, adding weight to notions they possess a "sixth sense" for disasters, experts said Thursday.Sri Lankan wildlife officials have said the giant waves that killed over 24,000 people along the Indian Ocean island's coast seemingly missed wild beasts, with no dead animals found."

My advice...if you live on the West Coast ... buy a dog