What to do if a tsunami is coming

Near the coast, if the shaking is strong or long, or the sea pulls back or rises fast, go to high ground now. Don’t wait for a warning. Move inland or uphill on foot if you can and keep going higher. The first wave may not be the last or the largest, so stay away until officials say it’s safe.

What to do right now

1. Move inland or uphill on foot if you can. Keep going higher.
2. The first wave may not be the last or the largest.
3. Stay out of the zone until officials say it's safe. Danger can last hours or days.

Remember: If the shaking is strong or long, or the sea acts strange, go to high ground now. Don't wait for a warning.

Warning signs

A strong or long earthquake near the coast. The sea pulls back fast, or rises fast. A loud roar from the ocean.

What happened: Kamaishi, Japan, 2011

On 11 March 2011 the ground shook for several minutes. Students at Kamaishi East Junior High ran for high ground, and the children of Unosumai Elementary next door followed. All of the students at the two schools escaped the tsunami.

The lesson: They had practiced. Go high, go now, and keep going higher.

Get ready before it happens

• Look up your county on FEMA’s National Risk Index and write down your top 3 hazards.
• Turn on Emergency Alerts on every phone and sign up for your county’s alerts.
• Pack a go-bag for each person and keep them by the door.