UpOnly Learning Presents: Family Emergency Guide — Natural Disasters, Power and Internet Outages

Family Emergency Guide

Tsunamis

Last checked: October 26, 2026

Official guidanceThis guide summarizes official guidance. It does not replace instructions from local officials. In the United States, call 911 in an emergency. If your 911 call does not go through.

Related pages: Emergency Kit Checklist · Family Emergency Plan

What it is

  • The American Red Cross says, "A tsunami is a series of ocean waves caused by earthquakes, landslides, or volcanic eruptions."[1]
  • The Red Cross says tsunamis "flood, drain, and re flood the land for hours," and "can flood more than a mile inland."[1]
  • The National Weather Service (NWS) says a tsunami can strike any ocean coast at any time.[2]

For students

  • Ready.gov Kids says, "If you can see the wave, you are too close to escape it."[5]
  • Ready.gov Kids says, "Never go down to the water to watch a tsunami come in."[5]
  • Ready.gov Kids says, "Tsunami waves can continue for hours and the next wave may be more dangerous than the first."[5]

Natural warning signs

  • The Red Cross says natural signs include an earthquake, a loud roar from the ocean, or unusual ocean behavior.[1]
  • The Red Cross says, "A natural sign of a tsunami may be your first, best, or only warning."[1]

Before

  • The Red Cross says to learn your community's tsunami evacuation plan and practice the routes from places you spend time.[1]
  • The Red Cross says that if your community has no plan, pick a safe spot at least 100 feet (30 meters) above sea level or 1 mile (1.6 km) inland.[1]

During

  • The Red Cross says that if you feel an earthquake near the coast, Drop, Cover, and Hold On, then move to high ground or inland once the shaking stops.[1]
  • Ready.gov says that in tsunami-prone areas, move inland or to higher ground as soon as earthquake shaking stops.[3]
  • The Red Cross says to stay away from the water and stay in your safe place until officials say it is safe to return.[1]

After

  • The Red Cross says, "Do not touch floodwaters. They may contain sewage, bacteria, and chemicals that can make you sick."[1]
  • The Red Cross says, "Assume all wires are live and dangerous."[1]
  • The Red Cross says to use battery-powered lights, not candles, and never run gasoline or charcoal devices indoors.[1]
  • The Red Cross says to throw out food that got wet or warm.[1]

Watch vs. Warning (NOAA Tsunami.gov)

  • Tsunami Warning: Dangerous coastal flooding and powerful currents; "Move to high ground or inland."[4]
  • Tsunami Advisory: Strong currents and waves dangerous to people in or very near water; "Stay out of water, away from beaches and waterways."[4]
  • Tsunami Watch: A tsunami may later affect the area; "Stay tuned for more information" and "Be prepared to act."[4]
  • The National Weather Service links to tsunami.gov to "Get Tsunami Alerts."[2]
  • Tsunami Information Statement: No threat, or a very distant event; "No action suggested at this time."[4]

Sources

Last checked: October 26, 2026. Each numbered source below was opened and checked on the date shown. Numbers in brackets in the text, like [1], point to this list.

  1. [1] American Red Cross, Tsunami
    Published by
    American Red Cross
    Level
    Not a government agency (non-governmental organization)
    Found at
    www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/tsunami.html
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  2. [2] National Weather Service, Tsunami Safety
    Published by
    National Weather Service (NWS)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.weather.gov/safety/tsunami
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  3. [3] Ready.gov (FEMA), Earthquakes
    Published by
    Ready.gov (FEMA)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.ready.gov/earthquakes
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  4. [4] NOAA Tsunami.gov, Message Definitions
    Published by
    NOAA Tsunami.gov
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.tsunami.gov/?page=message_definitions
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  5. [5] Ready.gov (FEMA), Know the Facts: Tsunamis (Kids)
    Published by
    Ready.gov (FEMA)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.ready.gov/kids/know-the-facts/tsunamis
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026

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