DOWNLOAD TSUNAMI SAFETY CHECKLIST HERE

Since 1946, six tsunamis have killed more than 350 people and damaged a half billion dollars of property in Hawaii, Alaska, and the West Coast. Tsunamis are most often generated by earthquake-induced movement of the ocean floor. Landslides, volcanic eruptions, and even meteorites can also generate a tsunami. If a major earthquake is felt, a tsunami could reach the beach in a few minutes, even before a warning is issued. Areas at greatest risk are less than 25 feet above sea level and within one mile of the shoreline.

If you are in a tsunami risk area, learn how to protect yourself, your family, and your property. Be familiar with the tsunami warning signs. A strong earthquake lasting 20 seconds or more near the coast may generate a tsunami. A noticeable rapid rise or fall in coastal waters is also a sign that a tsunami is approaching.

The West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center (WC/ATWC) and The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) may issue the following bulletins:

• WARNING: A tsunami was or may have been generated, which could cause damage; therefore, people in the warned area are strongly advised to evacuate.
• WATCH: A tsunami was or may have been generated, but is at least two hours travel time to the area in watch status. Local officials should prepare for possible evacuation if their area is upgraded to a warning.
• ADVISORY: An earthquake has occurred in the Pacific basin, which might generate a tsunami. WC/ATWC and PTWC will issue hourly bulletins advising of the situation.
• INFORMATION: A message with information about an earthquake that is not expected to generate a tsunami. Usually only one bulletin is issued.

Plan for a Tsunami

Tsunami-specific planning should include the following:

• Learn about tsunami risk in your community. Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter. Find out if your home, school, workplace or other frequently visited locations are in tsunami hazard areas. Know the height of your street above sea level and the distance of your street from the coast or other high-risk waters. Evacuation orders may be based on these numbers.
• If you are visiting an area at risk from tsunamis, check with the hotel, motel, or campground operators for tsunami evacuation information and how you would be warned. It is important to know designated escape routes before a warning is issued.

If you are at risk from tsunamis, do the following:

• Develop a Family Disaster Plan. Please see the “Family Disaster Plan” section for general family planning information. Tsunami-specific planning should include the following:
• Discuss tsunami with your family. Everyone should know what to do in case all family members are not together. Discussing tsunamis ahead of time will help reduce fear and anxiety, and let everyone know how to respond. Review flood safety and preparedness measures with your family.
• Plan an evacuation route from your home, school, workplace, or any other place you’ll be where tsunamis present a risk. If possible, pick an area 100 feet above sea level or go up to two miles inland, away from the coastline. If you can’t get this high or far, go as high as you can. Every foot inland or upwards may make a difference. You should be able to reach your safe location on foot within 15 minutes. After a disaster, roads may become impassable or blocked. Be prepared to evacuate by foot if necessary. Footpaths normally lead uphill and inland, while many roads parallel coastlines. Follow posted tsunami evacuation routes; these will lead to safety. Local emergency management officials can help advise you as to the best route to safety and likely shelter locations.
• Practice your evacuation route. Familiarity may save your life. Be able to follow your escape route at night and during inclement weather. Practicing your plan makes the appropriate response more of a reaction, requiring less thinking during an actual emergency situation.

For more information regarding Tsunami preparedness, visit the following:

• Pacific tsunami warning system
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning System
• For kids: Tsunami Warning” – and online children’s book that illustrates the danger of a tsunami

What To Do At Home:

• Find safe places in every room, such as under a desk or against an inside wall. During an earthquake, these are places to take cover where nothing can fall on you.
• Practice Drop, Cover and Hold On! at least twice a year. Drop under a nearby table or desk and hold on to it. Cover your head with your free arm. If you are not near a table or desk, sit against an interior wall away from anything that might break or fall on you and Drop, Cover and Hold On! Don’t forget, teach your children to Drop, Cover and Hold On!
• Designate an out of town contact for your family. We all remember how phone lines go down during an emergency. When they come back up, it will be easier to call out of town or even out of state than locally. During an emergency, each person in your family should contact that person. The out of town contact will be able to tell each of you where the other is when you may not able to call each other. You can print our Emergency Contact Card and start now.
• Experts are available and very willing to help you find additional ways to protect your home, such as bolting your house to its foundation or training to use a fire extinguisher.
• Inform others, like babysitters or caregivers, of your emergency plan.

Eliminate Hazards

• Secure your furniture. Unsecured furniture may fall on you during an earthquake.

Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit For Your Home, Work, and Car. Learn How Here.

Know What to Do When the Shaking Begins

• DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON! Move only a few steps to a nearby safe place. Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you’re sure it’s safe to exit. Stay away from windows. In a high-rise building, expect the fire alarms and sprinklers to go off during a quake.
• If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow.
• If you are outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, and power lines. Drop to the ground.
• If you are in a car, slow down and drive to a clear place. Stay in the car until the shaking stops.

Identify What to Do After the Shaking Stops

• Check yourself for injuries. Protect yourself from further danger by putting on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes, and work gloves.
• Check others for injuries. Give aid according to your level of training… sometimes the best aid can be provided just by being a caring presence.
• Look for and extinguish small fires. Eliminate fire hazards. Turn off the gas if you smell gas or think it’s leaking. (Remember, only a professional should turn it back on.)
• Listen to the radio for instructions.
• Expect aftershocks. Each time you feel one, DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON!
• Inspect your home for damage. Get everyone out if your home is unsafe.
• Expect phone systems to be overloaded during an emergency. Use the telephone only to report life-threatening emergencies.

More on Earthquakes:
7 Common Earthquake Myths: Exposed!
7 Steps to Earthquake Safety
Common Earthquake Terms

Want to share this information? The Earthquake Safety Checklist is available for download.

Below are 3 Actions you should take to be prepared in emergencies.

Get a Kit.

Have at least three days of supplies in an easy to carry evacuation kit with additional supplies on hand.  Remember to check your kit and replace the stock every six months.

Your kit should include:

• Map
• Food
• Flashlight
• Medications
• Radio
• Tools
• Personal items
• Sanitary supplies
• Money
• Contact information
• Pet supplies

For a detailed list of items you should include in your disaster kit, click here to download and print a checklist

Store your disaster supplies in sturdy yet easy-to-carry containers, in a place that is easily accessible. Keep a smaller version of the kit in your vehicle. If you become stranded or are not able to return home, having some items with you will help you be more comfortable until help arrives.

Make a Plan.

Planning ahead will help you have the best possible response to disaster.

Talk. Discuss with your family the disasters that can happen where you live. Establish responsibilities for each member of your household and plan to work together as a team. Designate alternates in case someone is absent. If a family member is in the military, also plan for how you would respond if they are deployed. Include the local military base resources that may be available.

Plan. Choose two places to meet after a disaster:

• Right outside your home, in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire.
• Outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate your neighborhood.

Learn. Each adult in your household should learn how and when to turn off utilities such as electricity, water and gas. Ask your local fire department to show you how to use a fire extinguisher.

Tell everyone in the household where emergency information and supplies are kept. Make copies of the information for everyone to carry with them. Keep the information updated.

Practice evacuating your home twice a year. Drive your planned evacuation route and plot alternate routes on a map in case main roads are impassable or gridlocked.

Include your pets. If you must evacuate, take your animals with you. If it is not safe for you to remain, it is not safe for them.

Be Informed.

Know what may happen and how you can help.

Learn what disasters or emergencies may occur where you live, work and play.

Identify how local authorities will notify you during a disaster and how you will get important information.

Learn what you can do to prepare for disasters by contacting your local Red Cross chapter to ask about first aid, CPR and disaster training.

Share what you have learned with your family, household and neighbors and encourage them to be informed too.

What’s in your wallet? Be sure to include an American Red Cross Emergency Contact Card. (Download and print a contact card)

Join other members of your community through the American Red Cross in taking these first steps. You never know how many people your actions will affect, how many lives you might change.