The American Red Cross Southern California Region is closely monitoring the current tsunami activity. If you live in a tsunami hazard zone, make a plan to stay safe and know what signs to look for.

Know Your Risks

• Learn about your community’s tsunami response plan which may include evacuation zones and routes. Know and practice these routes in the places where you spend time.
• If your community does not have a tsunami evacuation plan, identify a safe place at least 100 feet above sea level or at least 1 mile inland.
• A natural sign of a tsunami may be your first, best or only warning of danger. Natural signs include an earthquake, a loud roar from the ocean or unusual ocean behavior, such as a sudden rise or wall of water or a sudden retreat of the water, showing the ocean floor.
• If you experience any of these signs, a tsunami could be coming. Immediately move to higher ground or inland away from the coast. Don’t wait for an official alert.
  
  

Understanding Alerts

• It’s important to understand the types of alerts that you may receive and what to do in each case.
• A tsunami information statement means you should monitor local emergency information. These are issued when an earthquake has occurred, but there is not threat in your community or it was very far away, and the threat hasn’t been determined yet.
• A tsunami watch means to be aware as one is possible. Be ready to take action quickly if needed.
• A tsunami advisory means take action as one is expected or occurring. Stay out of the water and away from beaches and waterways. Follow instructions from local officials.
• A tsunami warning means there is danger, and you need to take immediate action. Move to high ground or inland away from the water as widespread flooding is expected or occurring. Dangerous conditions could continue for several hours or days.

Evacuation Tips

• Get prepared and be ready to evacuate if directed to do so by local authorities.
• If you may need to leave, think about where you will go, how you will get there, where you will stay and what you’ll take with you. Plan well in advance if you’ll need help leaving or use public transportation. Don’t forget to include pets in your plans.
• Make a plan to reconnect with loved ones if you are separated or if the phone or internet is down. Write down important phone numbers on a contact card and carry it with you.
• Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Listen to local media for updated emergency information and sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government. 
• Gather your pets to one room so you can easily grab them and go in the event of evacuation. Keep your animals under close supervision during evacuation.
• Charge your devices and external battery packs and gather essential documents you may need.
• Back your car into the garage or park it outside in the direction of your evacuation route.  
• Don’t wait – evacuate: if you feel threatened or unsafe, you can choose to evacuate at any time. If you receive an official evacuation order, heed the orders of local authorities, and follow instructions.   
• If time permits, think about special items you may want to take with you in an evacuation, such as items for children, like food/formula, diapers, extra clothing, toys, etc.; items for pets, including a leash, pet medications and pet food; prescription medications and medical devices you may need; comfort items like personal hygiene items and pillows, blankets, towels, change of clothing or other items you may want to have with you, and remember to bring your cell phone charger and external battery packs as well.
   

Stay Informed

• To stay informed about potential tsunamis, sign up for free emergency alerts from your local city or county. Alerts are also shared on local radio, television and weather radios.
• Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for safety tips for tsunamis and other disasters, real-time localizable weather alerts, open shelter locations and expert advice in both English and Spanish.
• The app contains pre-loaded content and is designed to be used if you lose wifi or mobile connectivity.
• Find the Red Cross Emergency App in app stores or go to redcross.org/apps.
• You can also text "GETEMERGENCY" to 90999 to have the Emergency App download link texted to you.
• Visit redcross.org/tsunami for more information about tsunami preparedness.