"They said, 'I know you want to do this Mom, I know it's your dream, but can you just do us a favor and take precautions?' So that's what I'm doing. I'm going to try and survive for the people who love me," Johnson told KATU-TV.
Johnson said her research into tsunami safety led her to Survival Capsule, LLC, a Mukiteo, Wash., company.
Survival Capsule CEO Julian Sharpe invented the survival pod as a means of helping those who live in tsunami risk areas, but would have trouble reaching higher ground in the case of an emergency. Johnson said it would take her up to 20 minutes to reach higher ground, time that could be crucial to her survival.
"I know the roads are going to be trouble, and people panic. I've seen that firsthand in both tornado alley, as well as hurricane areas in New Orleans," Johnson told KING-TV. "And I just think this is my highest likelihood of survival."
Johnson paid $13,500 to own the first Tsunami Capsule in the United States. The capsule, which was previously made available in Japan, features two seats and contains air tanks and supplies of dry food and water, which also acts as a ballast to keep the capsule upright during a flood.
"I could see someday this becoming as common as a fire escape on a multistory building," she said.
The capsules are designed to be either tethered in place or float free during a tsunami. They are brightly colored to make them easy to spot from helicopters or other rescue vehicles.
