Tsunami

What to do Before and During a Tsunami

The following are guidelines for what you should do if a tsunami is likely in your area:

Turn on your radio to learn if there is a tsunami warning if an earthquake occurs and you are in a coastal area.
Move inland to higher ground immediately and stay there.
Stay away from the beach. Never go down to the beach to watch a tsunami come in. If you can see the wave you are too close to escape it.
CAUTION - If there is noticeable recession in water away from the shoreline this is nature's tsunami warning and it should be heeded. You should move away immediately.

Is your Community TsunamiReady?

TsuanmiReady is a program for coastal communities and counties with tsunami hazards. It is a National Weather Service (NWS) program conducted in close coordination with state emergency management agencies which promotes tsunami hazard preparedness as an active collaboration among federal, state, and local emergency management agencies, the public, and the NOAA tsunami warning system. It's main goal is to increase public safety during tsunami emergencies.

What makes a community TsunamiReady?

Several guidelines must be met for a community or county to attain TsunamiReady status. Among these are:

Multiple methods of receiving NWS tsunami warning information.
The ability to disseminate a tsunami warning to the local populations.
An established warning point and emergency operations center.
A community tsunami awareness program.
Designated tsunami hazard zones.
Evacuation and response plans.

Who decides if a community is TsunamiReady?

Oversight of the TsunamiReady program is accomplished within the National Weather Service by the National Storm/TsunamiReady board.
The Board is responsible for national oversight of the program and for approving any changes to the guidelines.
Regional TsunamiReady boards are established to designate regional criteria which can strengthen the requirements within the NWS Alaska, Pacific, Western, Southern, and Eastern regions.
Local boards approve TsunamiReady applications. The local board normally consists of the local NWS office meteorologist-in-charge and warning coordination meteorologist, a representative from the appropriate state department of emergency services, the appropriate Tsunami Warning Center director, and a representative from the community or county requesting recognition.

Pre-Disaster Preparation - Prepare Your Home

Make sure you set a timeline to complete this task! By giving yourself a deadline, you will be able to complete it in a timely manner.

Conduct a ONE HOUR INVENTORY

Inside your house:

Go through your house/office and video tape/take pictures of your valuables
Remember to include pictures of smaller valuables like jewelry, china, silver, etc.
Also take pictures that include these items in the background for further proof of ownership
Valuations
Document serial numbers, model numbers on big ticket items for insurance purposes
Make note of "risk reduction - elimination" (things you don't replace)
Photograph any important paperwork - car titles - house deeds - passports - birth certificates
Review your insurance policies to ensure that you have the proper coverage - NOTE: most homeowner's policies do not include coverage for flood damage.
- Copy of social security card, drivers license, passport
- Copies of the last 3 years of your tax returns
- SAVE the photos and list on your computer
- SAVE the photos & lists on a flash drive and keep in a safe deposit box
Keep all of your important papers in one location so you can grab and go.

Outside:

Take pictures of the outside of your home / other existing structures
Take pictures of your cars and any outdoor equipment (lawn mowers, patio furniture, gas grill, bicycles, etc.)

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Get a Kit

Get an Emergency Supply Kit, which includes items like non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries.
Store it in your shelter location