Sea Pulls Back? Go to High Ground, Don't Wait for a Warning
Ready.gov, the U.S. government's preparedness website, says to leave as soon as you see any natural signs of a tsunami, such as a sudden draining of water showing the ocean floor, or receive an official tsunami warning. Do not wait. When earthquake shaking stops, if there are natural signs or official warnings of a tsunami, move immediately to a safe place as high and as far inland as possible; listen to the authorities, but do not wait for tsunami warnings and evacuation orders.
Ready.gov says a tsunami is a series of enormous ocean waves caused by earthquakes, underwater landslides, volcanic eruptions or asteroids; tsunamis can travel 20 to 30 miles per hour with waves 10 to 100 feet high, and can happen anywhere along U.S. coasts, with coasts bordering the Pacific Ocean or the Caribbean at the greatest risk. This article follows Ready.gov's tsunami page: the signs, what to do in the moment, what to prepare now, and what to watch for afterward.
Signs of a tsunami
Ready.gov explains (Ready.gov, Tsunamis):
- Earthquake: An earthquake can be a sign of a tsunami.
- Roar from the ocean: A loud roar from the ocean.
- Unusual ocean behavior: A sudden rise or wall of water, or a sudden draining of water showing the ocean floor.
Under a tsunami warning
- If caused by an earthquake: Drop, Cover, then Hold On to protect yourself from the earthquake first.
- Get to high ground: Get to high ground as far inland as possible.
- Watch for signs: Be alert to signs such as a sudden rise or draining of ocean waters.
- Listen to officials: Listen to emergency information and alerts, and always follow the instructions of local emergency managers.
- Don't wait: Evacuate as soon as you see any natural signs of a tsunami or receive an official tsunami warning.
- In a boat: Go out to sea.
During an earthquake
- Protect yourself first: If there is an earthquake and you are in a tsunami area, drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck with your arms, and hold on to sturdy furniture until the shaking stops.
- Crawling: Crawl only if you can reach better cover, and do not go through an area with more debris.
- When the shaking stops: If there are natural signs or official warnings of a tsunami, move immediately to a safe place as high and as far inland as possible.
Evacuating
- Leave when told: Leave immediately if you are told to do so.
- Evacuation route signs: Evacuation routes are often marked by a wave with an arrow pointing toward higher ground.
- Outside the hazard zone: If you are outside the tsunami hazard zone and receive a warning, stay where you are unless officials tell you otherwise.
- In the water: Grab onto something that floats, such as a raft or tree trunk.
- In a boat: Face the direction of the waves and head out to sea; if you are in a harbor, go inland.
Prepare now
- Learn the signs: Learn the signs: an earthquake, a loud roar from the ocean, and unusual ocean behavior.
- Evacuation routes: Know and practice community evacuation plans; some at-risk communities have maps with evacuation zones and routes; map out routes from home, work and play.
- Shelter locations: Pick places 100 feet or more above sea level, or at least one mile inland.
- Family communication plan: Create a family emergency communication plan with an out-of-state contact, and plan where to meet if you get separated.
- Alerts: Sign up for your community's warning system; the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide alerts; warnings may also come through outdoor sirens, local officials, text message alerts and phone calls.
- Insurance: Consider earthquake insurance and a flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP); standard homeowner's insurance does not cover flood or earthquake damage.
For how to drop, cover and hold on and what to secure at home first, see In a Quake, Drop, Cover, Hold On, Secure Heavy Items First; for where to meet and how to reach family if you get separated, see Family Emergency Plan in 4 Steps, Pick a Meeting Place First; for how to turn on phone emergency alerts, see Phone Emergency Alerts Are Free, Some Phones Need Them On.
After a tsunami
- Follow local alerts: Listen to local alerts and authorities for areas to avoid and shelter locations.
- Save calls for emergencies: Phone systems are often down or busy after a disaster; use text messages or social media to reach family and friends.
- Don't wade in: Floodwater can contain dangerous debris, and water may be deeper than it appears.
- Watch for electrocution: Underground or downed power lines can electrically charge water; do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water.
- Stay away from damage: Stay away from damaged buildings, roads and bridges.
- Injured or sick: If you need medical attention, contact your health care provider and shelter in place if possible; call 911 for a medical emergency.
- Property damage: Photograph the damage, take an inventory, and contact your insurance company.
What this article did not check
- Whether your home is in an evacuation zone: Ready.gov says some at-risk communities have evacuation maps; this article did not check local maps.
- Types of alerts: The page does not separate alert levels, so this article does not cover them.
- Insurance claims: This article did not check how to buy earthquake or flood insurance or what they cover.
FAQ
If the sea suddenly drains, should I wait for a warning before leaving?
No. Ready.gov says to leave as soon as you see any natural signs of a tsunami or receive an official tsunami warning; listen to the authorities, but do not wait for tsunami warnings and evacuation orders.
How high and how far should I go?
Ready.gov says to get to high ground as far inland as possible; when picking shelters ahead of time, choose places 100 feet or more above sea level, or at least one mile inland.
I'm outside the tsunami hazard zone and got a warning. Should I evacuate?
Ready.gov says that if you are outside the tsunami hazard zone and receive a warning, stay where you are unless officials tell you otherwise.
What if I'm in a boat when a tsunami comes?
Ready.gov says to face the direction of the waves and head out to sea; if you are in a harbor, go inland.
Sources and date checked
All checked on 2026-11-02.
- Ready.gov, Tsunamis (page updated 2026-05-11):https://www.ready.gov/tsunamis