A tsunami is a massive volume of moving seawater. The most frequent cause of a tsunami is the buckling of the seafloor caused by an underwater earthquake. According to NOAA, since the beginning of the 19th century, tsunamis have caused more than 700 deaths and approximately $2 billion in damage to U.S. coastal states and territories.
See how to determine your risk, prepare your family, learn about your building code, and identify ways to strengthen your home against tsunamis.
Tsunamis devastate everything that comes their way. This is why it is important to understand the risks and prepare in advance.
Tsunami safety planning ensures that every family member knows where to go and what to do when a warning is issued. Keep in mind that prompt and well-informed decisions have the potential to save lives, particularly in coastal areas with limited evacuation time and fast tsunami waves.
By having a tsunami safety plan in place, you reduce fear and confusion during emergencies. Knowing how to evacuate, which are the safe zones, and how you must communicate with your family will enable you to stay safe. Remember that it is important to stay calm and confident during this time because one wrong decision can cause loss of lives.
Tsunami preparedness strengthens the overall disaster readiness of your home and the entire family. When you plan ahead of time, you are well-prepared to handle any situation that comes your way. You are able to tackle multiple hazards, recover faster, and build long-term resilience.
If you live in a coastal area, protecting your home from a tsunami is vital. Having a home beside the sea can be rewarding, but it comes with its own drawbacks. Hence, being well-prepared for any situation that comes your way will empower you to face the dire consequences with confidence and peace of mind.
Tsunamis are often accompanied by floods. This is why it is important to elevate your home to ensure that water doesn’t enter the living areas. When you build your home slightly elevated, you prevent structural damage to the interiors. Moreover, you also keep your belongings safe and ensure that water doesn’t enter your electrical system.
Your home’s foundation endures significant stress during a tsunami that is accompanied by a flood. This is the reason why it is important to strengthen the foundation to protect your home against water flow.
When you have a strong foundation, you prevent it from shifting or collapsing. This way, you ensure that the structural integrity of your home is always intact.
Always use durable, disaster-resistant materials for building your home if you live in a region that is highly prone to natural and manmade disasters such as tsunamis. This investment may feel expensive initially, but in the long run, you are able to enjoy a strong foundation and peace of mind. Materials such as reinforced concrete provide added strength and stability, while some designs incorporate recycled materials without compromising safety.
A wise and flexible layout will help you evacuate your home in case of an emergency. Design features like breakaway walls allow non-structural sections of a building to fail safely. This reduces pressure on the main structural system. Moreover, you will be able to easily access critical areas of your home when you design it strategically.
Learn the signs of a tsunami to determine when one might hit. Recent earthquakes and loud roars from the ocean may indicate that a tsunami is imminent.
If you are under a tsunami warning, get to high ground as far inland as possible. Create a plan that keeps you, your family, and your home safe.
If a tsunami watch has been issued, monitor your NOAA Weather Radio, smartphone apps, and local news for further instructions.
Evacuate immediately if you are told to do so. Evacuation routes often are marked by a wave with an arrow in the direction of higher ground.
If you evacuated, do not attempt to re-enter the area until authorities say it is safe.
Take photos of property damage and file a claim with your insurance company.
Plan to repair and rebuild resiliently to prevent damage from future tsunamis.
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A Tsunami Watch means a distant earthquake has occurred, and a tsunami is possible.
Stay tuned for more information. Be prepared to take action if necessary.
A Tsunami Warning means dangerous coastal flooding and powerful currents are possible and may continue for several hours or days after initial arrival. Follow instructions from local officials. Evacuation is recommended. Move to high ground or inland (away from the water).
The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization — is the leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters by following a solid emergency plan.
The Playbook provides proven strategies for all leaders who wish to drive resilience.
This annual conference brings together the nation’s leading voices in disaster safety.
Inspect2Protect will help you understand the building code where you live.
A tsunami is a series of destructive ocean waves caused by various events that disturb the ocean’s surface. The most common cause of a tsunami is an underwater earthquake, but other events, such as volcanic eruptions, landslides, or meteorite impacts, can also trigger a tsunami.
When an underwater earthquake occurs, the seismic waves it generates can travel through the water and create large, powerful waves that spread out in all directions from the epicenter. These waves can move at great speeds, sometimes reaching up to 500 miles per hour, and can travel thousands of miles before reaching the coastline.
When the tsunami waves reach shallow water near the coast, they slow down and begin to increase in height as the water is forced upward. This can cause the tsunami waves to become very large, powerful, and life-threatening. Tsunamis are deadly and cause significant damage to buildings, boats, and other structures near the coast.
Not all earthquakes or underwater disturbances result in tsunamis, and not all tsunamis are equally destructive. The intensity and impact of a tsunami depend on the magnitude of the initial disturbance, the depth and proximity of the ocean floor to the coast, and the geography of the coastline itself.
The duration of a tsunami depends on several factors, including the size and intensity of the initial disturbance that caused it and the distance the waves have to travel to reach the coastline. Generally, a tsunami can last from a few minutes to several hours, with the most powerful waves arriving first and gradually decreasing in intensity over time.
The initial waves of a tsunami are usually the largest and can cause the most damage, but subsequent waves can also be dangerous and cause additional destruction. Tsunamis can also create strong currents that can persist for several hours or even days after the initial wave has passed.
It’s important to note that just because the initial waves have passed, it does not necessarily mean that the danger has passed. Tsunamis can cause significant damage to the coastline and infrastructure, and the aftermath of a tsunami can also be dangerous due to flooding, landslides, and other secondary effects.
It’s crucial to follow any evacuation orders or other instructions from local authorities in the aftermath of a tsunami.
Tsunamis often give natural signals before the waves arrive, and recognizing those signs can save lives and property.
Key warning signs include:
If you observe any of these signs, get to higher ground or inland immediately, and stay there until the all-clear is given.
Standard homeowners’ insurance typically does not cover tsunami damage because tsunamis are classified as flood or earthquake events.
Important coverage facts:
Tsunamis are most likely in regions that have significant offshore earthquake activity, volcanic eruptions, or underwater landslides.
High-risk areas include:
If you live near the coast, know your evacuation routes, identify nearby high ground, and understand that lesser-known sources (like submarine landslides) can also trigger tsunamis.
