How do I know a tsunami is coming without an official warning?

Watch for natural warning signs: a strong or long earthquake lasting 20 seconds or more, a sudden rise or fall in sea level, or a loud roar from the ocean. If you notice any of these near the coast, move to high ground immediately rather than waiting for an official alert.

How far inland or how high up do I need to be to be safe from a tsunami?

Ready.gov recommends reaching at least 100 feet above sea level or one mile inland, whichever you can reach first. Map this route from home, work, and anywhere else you regularly spend time near the coast.

How fast does a tsunami travel?

In the deep ocean, a tsunami can travel as fast as 500 miles per hour, similar to a jet plane, and is often barely noticeable at the surface. As it reaches shallow water near shore, it slows down and grows in height.

Is the first tsunami wave the biggest one?

Not necessarily. A tsunami arrives as a series of waves, and the danger can continue for many hours after the first one. Later waves are sometimes larger than the first, which is why staying away from the coast until officials give an all-clear matters as much as the initial evacuation.

What should I do if I am in a boat when a tsunami warning is issued?

If you have time to reach open water, head out to sea, where tsunami waves are far less dangerous than near shore. If you are in a harbor, move inland instead. Be prepared to remain at sea for a day or more, since your home port may be damaged.

Tsunami Preparedness Checklist — Before, During & After

Phase 1

Before a tsunami. Know your route before you need it.

A tsunami generated close to shore can arrive faster than an official warning. Knowing your route to high ground ahead of time is the single most useful thing a coastal household can do.

Evacuation

Know your tsunami evacuation zone and route to 100 feet above sea level or 1 mile inland, from home, work, and anywhere else you spend time
Pack a 72-hour bag for each person in your household: medication, a change of clothes, document copies, water, and a phone charger
Identify your household meeting point and one out-of-area contact
Map two evacuation routes and walk them, since roads may be damaged or jammed when you need them most

Communications

Turn on Wireless Emergency Alerts on every phone in your household
Get a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio for when cell service fails
Learn the difference between a tsunami Watch, Advisory, and Warning

Documents

Get a waterproof, fireproof container for document copies, plus password-protected digital backups
Gather IDs, insurance documents, and important papers in one place, with copies in each 72-hour bag

Water

Store 1 gallon per person per day for at least 3 days, including pets

Food

Build a 3-day supply of shelf-stable food per person that needs no cooking

Power and Lighting

Get LED lanterns or flashlights for every main room
Get a power bank for each phone in your household

Medical

Get a complete first aid kit and check expiration dates yearly

Phase 2

During a tsunami. Move first. Ask questions later.

If a tsunami is generated close to shore, there may not be time for an official warning. Natural signs are your warning, and moving quickly matters more than being certain.

If You Feel an Earthquake

Protect yourself from the earthquake first. Drop, cover, and hold on until the shaking stops
When shaking stops, move immediately to high ground if you notice natural signs or get an official warning
Watch for a sudden rise or fall in sea level and a loud roar from the ocean. Any one of these is enough reason to move

Getting to Safety

Move on foot toward your safe place if you can. Roads may be damaged, closed, or jammed
If you are in a boat with time to reach open water, head out to sea. If you are in a harbor, go inland instead
If you are outside the hazard zone and receive an official warning, stay where you are unless told otherwise

Phase 3

After a tsunami. Later waves can be larger.

A tsunami is a series of waves, not a single event. Staying away from the coast until officials confirm it is over matters as much as the first evacuation.

Waiting for the All Clear

Stay away from the coast until local officials issue an official all-clear, not just when the water looks calm
Keep monitoring your weather radio or local officials. Waves can keep arriving for hours
Avoid downed power lines and stay away from damaged buildings, bridges, and piers. Aftershocks can bring down loose debris
Limit non-emergency phone calls to keep lines open for emergency communication

Recovery and Documentation

Photograph all damage before moving or cleaning anything for your insurance claim
Contact your insurance company to open a claim promptly
Do not return home until local officials confirm it is safe. Flooding and debris can remain hazardous well after the waves recede
Check on neighbors, especially anyone who may not have received the warning in time

Gear

Still need to get equipped? Start here.

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Tsunami Preparedness Checklist. Before, during, and after.