Mitigation and Education

Summary

The primary strategy for saving lives during a tsunami is to evacuate people from the hazard zone.
Tsunami evacuation products are prepared and distributed before an event to increase preparedness and
provide the base information required for implementing emergency response plans and evacuation
protocols put into play when a tsunami notification is issued. Ideally evacuation maps should include
the area at risk, the evacuation routes, the safety zones, assembly areas, and evacuation sites.
Consideration can also be given for vertical evacuation if appropriate to the local topography and
community. Uniformity in these maps will aid in their clearer interpretation as people travel between
different states, territories, and commonwealths. Nevertheless it is important to note that the evacuation
maps need to be tailored for population differences, vulnerable populations, and high risk or special
facilities located in the hazard zone