Earthquake & Tsunami Family Plan: Step-by-Step

This guide helps you build a practical family emergency plan for earthquakes and tsunamis. You’ll learn how to identify safe spots, establish communication, prepare supplies, and practice your response. By the end, your family will know exactly what to do when the ground shakes or a tsunami warning sounds.

What You’ll Need

Local hazard maps (tsunami inundation zones and evacuation routes)
Contact information for family members, schools, and workplaces
A battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio if available)
Emergency supply kit (water, food, medications, flashlight, batteries, first aid)
Printed maps of your area (in case GPS fails)
Whistle or other signaling device
Copies of important documents (IDs, insurance, medical info) in a waterproof bag

Step-by-Step

Identify your risk zones. Check if you live, work, or study in a tsunami hazard zone. Look for local tsunami evacuation maps or ask your city office. Know whether you are in a low-lying coastal area or near a river that could carry a tsunami inland.
Learn the natural warning signs. If you feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand, or a weak rolling that lasts 20 seconds or more, do not wait for an official warning. A sudden retreat of the ocean, exposing the seafloor, is also a sign of an approaching tsunami. Move to higher ground immediately.
Choose your safe spots. For earthquakes, pick a sturdy table or desk in each room where you can drop, cover, and hold on. For tsunamis, identify high ground at least 30 meters (100 feet) above sea level or at least 3 kilometers (2 miles) inland. Mark these on a printed map.
Plan your evacuation routes. Walk or drive the routes from home, school, and work to your tsunami safe zones. Choose at least two routes in case one is blocked. Note that roads may be damaged or congested after an earthquake, so walking may be faster.
Set up an out-of-area contact. Choose a relative or friend who lives at least 160 kilometers (100 miles) away. After a disaster, local phone lines may be jammed; text messages or social media often work better. Everyone in the family should know this contact’s phone number and address.
Create a family communication plan. Write down each family member’s work or school contact, and agree on a meeting place if you are separated. For earthquakes, meet at a designated spot outside your home. For tsunamis, meet at your high-ground safe zone.
Assemble emergency kits. Prepare a kit for home, car, and work. Include at least 3 days of water (4 liters per person per day), non-perishable food, medications, a flashlight, batteries, a first aid kit, a whistle, dust masks, and cash. Add copies of important documents in a waterproof container.
Practice drop, cover, and hold on. During an earthquake, drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck under a sturdy table, and hold on until shaking stops. If no table, crouch against an interior wall away from windows. Practice this regularly so it becomes automatic.
Know when to evacuate for a tsunami. If you are in a tsunami hazard zone, evacuate immediately after the shaking stops. Do not wait for an official warning. If you are not in a hazard zone, stay put and be ready to help others. Remember: tsunamis are a series of waves; the first may not be the largest.
Review and update your plan. Every six months, check your supplies, update contact information, and re-practice your drills. If you move, change jobs, or children change schools, update the plan accordingly.

Common Mistakes

Waiting for an official tsunami warning. The most reliable warning is the shaking itself. If you feel a strong earthquake, do not wait for an alert; move to high ground immediately.
Running during the earthquake. Trying to run while the ground shakes can cause falls and injuries. Drop, cover, and hold on until the shaking stops.
Heading to the beach to watch. Tsunamis can arrive within minutes and are not surf waves. Going to the shore to look is extremely dangerous.
Forgetting to include pets or people with disabilities. Plan for how you will evacuate with infants, elderly family members, or those with mobility challenges. Practice the plan with them.
Using elevators. Elevators may stop working or trap you during an earthquake or tsunami. Always use stairs.
Returning too soon after a tsunami. The danger can last for hours. Stay away until officials say it is safe.

Tips

Keep a pair of sturdy shoes under your bed to protect your feet from broken glass after an earthquake.
Secure heavy furniture and appliances to walls to prevent tipping.
Store a whistle in your emergency kit and on your keychain to signal for help.
Use a NOAA Weather Radio for official tsunami warnings and all-clear messages.
Teach children to recognize the natural signs and to move to high ground even if they are alone.
Keep a printed list of emergency numbers and your out-of-area contact in your wallet.

Troubleshooting

What if the shaking lasts longer than expected? Continue to hold on until it stops. If you are in a tsunami zone, evacuate immediately after the shaking ceases. Do not wait to gather belongings.

What if you are outdoors when an earthquake hits? Move to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and utility wires. Drop, cover, and hold on until the shaking stops.

What if you are driving when a tsunami warning is issued? Do not drive into traffic jams. Abandon your vehicle and head on foot to high ground. If you cannot reach high ground, climb a sturdy building or tree as a last resort.

What if a family member is separated and cannot reach the out-of-area contact? Use text messages, social media, or a designated online check-in group. If those fail, leave a note at your home meeting place with your location and next steps.

What if your safe zone is unreachable due to road damage? Have a backup route and a secondary safe zone. If you are trapped, signal with a whistle or flashlight and stay put until help arrives.

What if you are at the beach and feel a small earthquake? Any earthquake near the coast can trigger a tsunami. Move to high ground immediately, even if the shaking is mild. Do not wait for an official alert.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much water should I store per person? At least 4 liters (1 gallon) per person per day for at least 3 days, for drinking and sanitation.

How high above sea level is safe from a tsunami? Generally, at least 30 meters (100 feet) above sea level or 3 kilometers (2 miles) inland, but local conditions can vary. Use your local evacuation maps for specific guidance.

Can a tsunami happen in a lake or river? Tsunamis are usually caused by earthquakes under the ocean, but they can also occur in large inland lakes due to landslides or seismic activity. If you are near a large body of water and feel a strong earthquake, move to high ground.

How long do I need to stay away after a tsunami? The danger can last for many hours, and the first wave is rarely the largest. Stay away until officials issue an all-clear, which may take 12 hours or more.

What is the best way to protect myself during an earthquake? Drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck under a sturdy table, and hold on until the shaking stops. This is safer than standing in a doorway or running outside.

Should I wait for an official tsunami warning to evacuate? No. If you feel a strong earthquake or see natural signs like a receding ocean, evacuate immediately. Official warnings may not reach you in time.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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