How to prepare for a tsunami

Long or strong, get gone

If you’re near the coast and experience any of the following:

❚ Feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up, or a weak rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more.

❚ See a sudden rise or fall in sea level.

❚ Hear loud and unusual noises from the sea.

Don’t wait for an official warning

❚ Move immediately to the nearest high ground, out of all tsunami evacuation zones, or as far inland as possible.

You’ll need to self-evacuate

❚ In a local source tsunami, there won’t be time for emergency services to go door to door. Be prepared to self-evacuate. Know your evacuation route

❚ Check your local Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group’s website for your tsunami evacuation zone maps. Practise your evacuation route.

Staying safe means staying informed

❚ Know where to get information. Listen to the radio for updates. Warnings and evacuation maps will be issued via Emergency Mobile Alerts, the Civil Defence website, news media, and @NZCivilDefence Twitter.

Plan ahead if self-evacuation is a problem

❚ If you have a disability or special requirements, arrange with your support network to alert you of warnings and help you evacuate.

H¯ıkoi not convoy

❚ If possible, run, walk or cycle when evacuating from a tsunami. You don’t want to get stuck in traffic in a tsunami zone.

Have a grab bag ready

❚ Have a grab bag ready with food, water, warm clothes, a battery-powered radio, and anything else you might need. Don’t forget animals

❚ Include them in your evacuation plans.