TsunamiReady Guidelines

TSUNAMIREADY® GUIDELINES

GUIDELINES INTRODUCTION
In order for the National Weather Service (NWS) to recognize a community as TsunamiReady®,
the community must have implemented the activities established in the TsunamiReady®
Guidelines. The appropriate activities will vary by community and depend on each community’s
tsunami threat (e.g., tsunami sources) and vulnerability as determined by the local NWS Weather
Forecast Office and the responsible TsunamiReady® Board in consultation with National
Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program partners and other tsunami experts, as needed.
For more information about the application process, see “How to Become TsunamiReady” at
https://www.weather.gov/tsunamiready/become.
SUMMARY TABLE OF GUIDELINES
MIT-1
MIT-2

Have designated and mapped tsunami hazard zones.
Include tsunami hazard and community vulnerability information in the
community’s FEMA-approved multi-hazard mitigation plan.

MIT-3

Install signage, as needed, that identifies for example: (1) tsunami danger
area and/or hazard zone (entering and leaving signs), evacuation routes, and
assembly area; and (2) provides tsunami response education (go to high
ground).
PREP-1 Produce easily understood tsunami evacuation maps as determined to be
appropriate by local authorities.
PREP-2 Support an ongoing sustained tsunami public education effort. This effort
should include the development and distribution of outreach materials.
PREP-3 Support an ongoing sustained tsunami education effort specific to public
schools in coastal community pursuing TsunamiReady® recognition.
PREP-4 Hold at least one community-wide outreach or education activity annually.
PREP-5 Conduct community exercises that reinforce the concepts contained in
PREP-1 through PREP-4.
PREP-6 Conduct evacuation drills for all public schools in the mapped tsunami
evacuation zone to reinforce the concepts contained in PREP-1 through
PREP-4.

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SUMMARY TABLE OF GUIDELINES (continued)
RESP-1
Address tsunami hazards in the community’s emergency operations plan
(EOP).
RESP-2
Address tsunami hazards in the emergency operations plans (EOP) for all
public schools in the tsunami hazard zone.
RESP-3

Commit to supporting the emergency operations center (EOC) during
tsunami incidents if an EOC is opened and activated.

RESP-4

Have redundant and reliable means for a 24-hour warning point (and EOC
if activated) to receive official tsunami watch, advisory, and warning
alerts.
Have redundant and reliable means for 24-hour warning point and/or
EOC to disseminate official tsunami watch, advisory, and warning alerts
to the public.
Have Public Alert-certified NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) receivers in
critical facilities and public venues.

RESP-5

RESP-6
RESP-7

Conduct emergency operations plan exercises that test at least one
component of the community’s EOP or one item from RESP-4 through
RESP-6.

MITIGATION (MIT)
MIT-1. Have designated and mapped tsunami hazard zones. The primary source for
mapping potential tsunami hazard zones is inundation modeling, which illustrates expected areas
to be flooded by the tsunami. If models are unavailable, other acceptable sources include
guidance from tsunami experts from NOAA, the U.S. Geological Survey, state geological
surveys, universities, or consultants. Modeling and mapping efforts should meet NOAA/NTHMP
guidelines.
Note: for communities on the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico, a “baseline
tsunami zone” has been prepared and, where observed, is approved to meet this requirement.
SLOSH modeling is also approved for use for this purpose. Tsunami Hazard Zone maps are
used by emergency managers for planning purposes and are different from, but related to,
evacuation maps described in PREP-1.
MIT-2. Include tsunami hazard and community vulnerability information in the
community’s FEMA-approved multi-hazard mitigation plan. As described in section 44CFR
Part 201.6 (c)(2) of the Stafford Disaster Mitigation Act, this information should include, where
available, the following:
 A tsunami-hazard profile, including source locations, extent of inundation, run-up or height
that a wave reaches above sea level, previous tsunami occurrences, and likelihood of future
tsunamis
 A description of community vulnerability, including areas exposed to inundation and an
impact summary of the resident population and specific sub-populations of people expected
to be affected (e.g., individuals with access and functional needs, visitors, seasonal workers),
businesses, infrastructure, and critical facilities
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Estimates of population exposure in tsunami evacuation zones should be based on local
knowledge or on analysis of population data (e.g., Census), and can include ranges of population
counts to recognize daily or seasonal fluctuations in workers, visitors, and temporary residents.
Communities that do not have resources to support development of a multi-hazard mitigation
plan should work with the county where the community is located to be incorporated into the
county’s multi-hazard mitigation plan.
This requirement is met if there is a FEMA-approved multi-hazard mitigation plan that includes
tsunamis.
MIT-3. Install signage, as needed, that identifies for example: (1) tsunami danger area
and/or hazard zone (entering and leaving signs), evacuation routes, and assembly area; and
(2) provides tsunami response education (go to high ground). Signage should be
implemented according to state and local policies and as determined to be appropriate by local
authorities, the responsible TsunamiReady® Board, and with possible assistance from partners.
Wherever possible, signage should comply with specifications aimed at standardization so that
all coastal communities eventually will have identical signage. Continuity of signage benefits
domestic residents and international visitors. In cases where tribal law supersedes state laws,
tribes should make every effort to try to be consistent with state codes while also maintaining
their own tribal codes. Multi-hazard signs that include the tsunami hazard are adequate for this
item.
PREPAREDNESS (PREP)
PREP-1. Produce easily understood tsunami evacuation maps as determined to be
appropriate by local authorities that depict tsunami evacuation routes and assembly areas (see
MIT-1). Maps should be based on tsunami hazard zone mapping and in accordance with the
community’s emergency operations plan. Maps should be made available via appropriate print
and/or digital media.
Note: for communities on the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico, a “baseline
tsunami hazard zone” has been prepared and, where observed, is approved to meet this
guideline.
PREP-2. Support an ongoing sustained tsunami public education effort. This effort should
include the development and distribution of outreach materials that include, where
appropriate, tsunami evacuation maps, evacuation routes, safety tips, and information about
when and how to respond to warnings (including natural warnings for regions with a local
tsunami threat). They should be tailored to meet local information needs and be based on
location-specific tsunami threats. Distribution should use three or more wide-reaching diverse
methods, including, but not limited to:
 Brochures and flyers distributed at public venues and/or bulk mailed to local residents
and businesses
 Newspaper inserts
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Public utility/service industry bill safety notices
Local faith-based and civic organization bulletins/mailings
Local radio and television
Billboard, roadside, highway, or educational signs
Historical markers and interpretative signs
Websites/social media
Bulk email

Possible physical locations for distribution of materials include:
 Visitor centers and local tourist businesses (e.g., restaurants, bars)
 Hotels, motels, and campgrounds where visitors to beach areas stay
 Public libraries
 Community centers
 Recreation centers
 Kiosks or information centers in places where the public visits (e.g., malls, stores, etc.)
 Child care centers
PREP-3. Support an ongoing sustained tsunami education effort specific to public schools
in coastal community pursuing TsunamiReady® recognition. This effort can leverage the
outreach materials from PREP-2 but should also be augmented if needed to cover tsunami threats
specific to any given school. Distribution can be through existing state, regional, or local
educational governing bodies but cover letters transmitting materials should be included that
provide schools with a means to get support from the responsible TsunamiReady® Board.
Distribution to all schools in the tsunami hazard zone should occur for initial TsunamiReady®
recognition and then again every three years. At the discretion of the responsible
TsunamiReady® Board, and to address the cases where the tsunami hazard zone represents a very
small percentage of total area of the community, the distribution can be limited to schools that
are in or near the tsunami hazard zone. This applies to both the initial and periodic distribution.
This distribution should also occur for private schools when possible.
PREP-4. Hold at least one community-wide outreach or education activity annually to
educate community residents, businesses, and visitors, with an emphasis on those in the tsunami
hazard zone, on tsunami hazards, evacuation routes, how warning information will be received
(including natural warnings for regions with a local tsunami threat), safety, and response. These
activities may be multi-hazard as long as they include tsunamis in the content. The number of
activities required for a given community is to be determined by the responsible TsunamiReady®
Board but will generally include at least one community-wide event and/or multiple smaller
scale events.
Acceptable activities include, but are not limited to:
 Leveraging of national, state, and regional campaigns through use of social media
 Multi-hazard events or presentations
 Adding on to The Great Shakeout drills and practice
 Booths at community events and county fairs
 Community tsunami safety workshops, town halls, or similar public meetings
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Presentations or workshops for faith-based organizations, community or civic groups
Local public safety campaigns, such as “Tsunami Preparedness” week/month
Local business workshops to help them develop response and business continuity plans
Information for business owners for employee training, outreach, or education that targets
high-occupancy businesses in tsunami hazard zones (e.g., hotels, restaurants, fisheries,
industrial sites)
Door-to-door safety campaigns targeted to residents and businesses who live or work in
the community’s tsunami hazard zone

PREP-5. Conduct community exercises that reinforce the concepts contained in PREP-1
through PREP-4. The exercises can focus solely on the tsunami hazard or can be a multihazard exercise that also addresses the tsunami hazard. One exercise should be conducted for
initial Tsunami Ready recognition and then at least one other should be conducted within the
three-year period following recognition. The exercises could be tabletop, functional, or fullscale.
PREP-6. Conduct evacuation drills for all public schools in the mapped tsunami
evacuation zone to reinforce the concepts contained in PREP-1 through PREP-4.
Evacuation drills should be conducted annually but can be conducted as part of a multi-hazard
drill (for example, combined with a fire evacuation drill). Private schools in the tsunami
evacuation zone should be encouraged to also conduct annual evacuation drills.
RESPONSE (RESP)
RESP–1. Address tsunami hazards in the community’s emergency operations plan (EOP).
If a community-level plan does not exist, other acceptable plans include a countywide EOP or a
state or local comprehensive emergency management plan. To meet this requirement, plans
should:
 Identify tsunami as a hazard and provide a risk assessment
 Detail 24-hour warning point procedures relating to tsunamis
 Specify emergency operations center activation criteria and staffing expectations
 Specify tsunami criteria and procedures for the activation of the public warning system in
its area of responsibility
o Criteria and procedures for siren activation, cable television override, and/or local
activation in accordance with state EAS plans, warning fan-out procedures, and
communication to functional and access needs populations
 Provide contact information for all jurisdictional agencies and response partners,
including the NWS
 Include evacuation plans for tsunamis, roles of community entities/agencies, tsunami
hazard zone maps with evacuation routes, and protocols for access and functional needs
populations
 Include procedures for updating information and determining when to advise it is safe for
(1) emergency response personnel to enter the evacuated zones, and (2) when it is safe for
the public to return to homes and businesses in the evacuated zone(s)
 Include procedures for providing security for the evacuated zone(s)
 Include procedures for reporting tsunami impacts in the community
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RESP-2. Address tsunami hazards in the emergency operations plans (EOP) for all public
schools in the tsunami hazard zone, or have a section in community’s emergency operations
plan (EOP), from RESP-1, that addresses emergency operations for public schools in the
community. Encourage this for private schools.
RESP–3. Commit to supporting the emergency operations center (EOC) during tsunami
incidents if an EOC is opened and activated. Ensure that the EOC can execute tsunami
warning functions (public notifications) based on predetermined guidelines related to NWS
tsunami information and/or tsunami incidents.
Note: this applies only for communities with a year-round population of 15,000 or more. For
communities with less than a 15,000 year-round population, there must be ties to an EOC
serving that community.
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Has 24-hour operations or plan to activate an EOC for tsunami incidents in accordance
with the EOP
Has warning reception and dissemination capability
Has the ability and authority to activate the public warning system in its area of
responsibility
Maintains the ability to communicate within and across jurisdictions (e.g., with other
EOCs, including those maintained by private organizations, incident command posts,
etc.); communication capabilities should be equal to or better than the communication/
dispatch center
Maintains established communication links with NWS (e.g., NWSChat, phone, etc.) to
relay real-time weather and flood reports to support the warning decision making process

RESP–4. Have redundant and reliable means for a 24-hour warning point (and EOC if
activated) to receive official tsunami watch, advisory, and warning alerts from NOAA
Tsunami Warning Centers, local NWS Offices, or other officially recognized U.S.-based
agencies such as state and local emergency management agencies. Alerts must be able to reach
the 24-hour warning point by at least three of the following:
 Public Alert-certified NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) receiver: Required for recognition
only if within reliable reception range of a NWR transmitter
 Statewide warning fan-out notification system (documented in writing with backup
indicated)
 NOAAPORT receiving station
 National Warning System (NAWAS) drop: FEMA-controlled, 24-hour, continuousprivate-line telephone system used to convey warnings to federal, state and local
governments, as well as the military and civilian population
 NWSChat: An instant messaging program available via the Internet used by NWS
operational personnel to share critical warning decision expertise and other significant
weather information
 Emergency Management Weather Information Network (EMWIN) receiver: Device that
receives satellite feed and/or VHF radio transmission of NWS products
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Statewide telecommunications system: Automatic relay of NWS products, usually on
law enforcement systems
California Integrated Seismic Network (CISN) Display Program
Amateur Radio transceiver: Potential communications directly to NWS office
Alerts provided through a third-party provider: Typically received via phone, email
and/or a texting service to a smartphone, tablet, or computer
Local Radio: Emergency Alert System, LP1/LP2
Active Internet monitoring capability, including social media such as Facebook and
Twitter
NOAA Weather Wire drop: Satellite downlink data feed from NWS
Direct email from Tsunami Warning Center
Direct fax from Tsunami Warning Center
Text message or direct pager message from Tsunami Warning Center
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) broadcasts: warning point monitoring of USCG marine
channels
Other communications channel (e.g., active participation in a state-run warning network,
two-way, local emergency responder radio network, etc.), please explain

Note: Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are NOT included as a means of receiving tsunami
alerts because WEA is only activated for the first tsunami warning and not for other levels of
alerts (Tsunami Advisory, Tsunami Watch, Tsunami Information Statement). Also, WEA does
not work everywhere.
RESP–5. Have redundant and reliable means for 24-hour warning point and/or EOC to
disseminate official tsunami watch, advisory, and warning alerts to the public. Alerts must
be able to be disseminated from the 24-hour Warning Point and/or EOC through at least three of
the following methods:
 Emergency Alert System (EAS) message initiation and broadcast
 Cable television audio/video overrides
 Local flood warning systems ideally with no single point of failure
 Plan for siren/megaphone notification on emergency vehicles
 Outdoor warning sirens
 Other local alert broadcast system
 Local pager/texting system
 Amateur radio operator network (ham radio)
 Telephone mass notification system
 Telephone tree to critical facilities
 Coordinated jurisdiction-wide radio network
 For counties, parishes, boroughs, etc., a countywide communications network that
ensures the flow of information between all cities and towns within its borders, including
acting as the surrogate warning point and/or EOC for communities without those
capabilities
 Social media usage (Twitter, Facebook, etc.)
 Lifeguards on beaches and on patrol
 Other, please explain
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All response requirements should recognize that during a local tsunami event, initial response
would be performed primarily by at-risk individuals. Individuals in local tsunamis, including
emergency personnel, will need to take personal responsibility for evacuating after recognizing
the natural warnings or environmental cues of a possible or imminent tsunami (e.g., ground
shaking from an earthquake, unusual rapid rise or fall of a shoreline). Official communications
and warnings may be difficult to perform given the potential for infrastructure and
telecommunication damage from the preceding earthquake and the limited time between the
generation and arrival of the first wave in the tsunami.
RESP–6. Have Public Alert-certified NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) receivers in critical
facilities and public venues in and around the tsunami evacuation zone (where reception is
available), including:
Required locations:
 Communication/dispatch center serving as the 24-hour warning point
 EOC or standby location (such as a conference room) that will become a defacto EOC, if
designated
 City hall, county courthouse, or similar local elected executive office building
 Public school superintendent’s office—for all public school jurisdiction(s) in tsunami
evacuation zones
Recommended, but not required, locations:
 Courthouses
 Public school superintendent’s office—for all public school jurisdiction(s) in tsunami
hazard zones (different from tsunami evacuation zone under “required” above)
 Private school headmaster’s (or equivalent) office—for all private schools with a student
population exceeding 100
 Public libraries
 Recreation centers
 Community centers
 Hospitals
 All schools, usually located in principal’s or designee’s office
 Childcare centers
 Fairgrounds, parks and recreation areas*
 Public utilities*
 Large-event venues, e.g., arenas, stadiums, etc.*
 Transportation departments*
 Nursing homes/assisted living facilities*
 Harbor masters’ offices
 Life guard towers
*Note: usually, the NWR receivers would be located in the primary management office/facility
that is accessible 24/7 (where appropriate) and has the authority to alter operations and the

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ability to order protective actions based on the NWS hazardous weather or flood warning
received.
RESP–7. Conduct emergency operations plan exercises that test at least one component of
the community’s EOP or one item from RESP-4 through RESP-6. These exercises can be
part of a multi-hazard exercise and/or can be part of an exercise that satisfies the PREP-5
requirement to conduct a community exercise. One exercise should be conducted for initial
Tsunami Ready recognition and at least one other should be conducted within the three-year
period following recognition. The exercises could be tabletop, functional, or full-scale.
For recommendations about additional activities to supplement TsunamiReady efforts, see
“TsunamiReady Guidelines: Tier Two” and “Other Recommended Efforts to Increase
Community Resilience,” which are available at https://www.weather.gov/tsunamiready/become.

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