What to do in a tsunami: before, during and after
On the coast, a strong earthquake or the sea suddenly pulling back is your warning: do not wait for an official alert, go high.
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At the coast, a strong or long earthquake, or the sea suddenly pulling back or rising, is your warning. Do not wait for an official alert.
BeforeBefore a disaster
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Learn the natural warning signs: a strong earthquake, or the sea suddenly rising or drawing back.
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Learn your community's evacuation routes and practise reaching high ground from home, work and school.
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Choose places at least 30 metres (100 feet) above sea level, or about 1.6 km (one mile) inland.
DuringDuring a disaster
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If an earthquake comes first, drop, cover and hold on until the shaking stops.
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Then go at once to high ground, as far inland as you can. Do not wait for an official warning.
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Leave as soon as you see a natural sign or receive an official tsunami warning.
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If you are in the water, hold on to something that floats.
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If you are on a boat at sea, face the waves and head out to sea. In a harbour, go inland.
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If you cannot get away, go up to the upper floors of a strong building.
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Several waves can come for hours, and the first is often not the largest.
AfterAfter a disaster
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Listen to the local authorities for areas to avoid and for shelter locations.
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Do not wade in floodwater: it can carry dangerous debris.
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Stay away from damaged buildings, roads and bridges.
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Keep phone calls for emergencies; send text messages instead.
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Do not go back to the shore until the authorities say it is over.
Official sources
Every step in this guide is based on one of these pages.
- Ready.gov (FEMA) Tsunamis Page date: · Checked:
- AFAD; UNESCO-IOC The app does not give this source's page address.
A short summary of the sources below, checked against them. Read a source for the full advice.
This guide works offline and summarises public official pages. It is not a live or official announcement; follow the authorities' instructions.