Tsunami Preparedness

Tsunamis are large and long surges of water caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides. They are not like ocean waves that curl, break, or rise and fall with the tides. Tsunamis can carry debris over long distances and cause additional destruction. Most of La'ie is in a low-lying, coastal plain subject to damage from tsunami waves. In the past, tsunamis have caused flooding and significant property damage in the area.

Understanding Alerts

Tsunami Watch

A Tsunami Watch indicates that there is a possibility of a tsunami. Weather and safety organizations are continuing to collect data on the cause and conditions of the ocean to predict and assess the situation. The danger level is not known yet.

Tsunami Advisory

Strong ocean currents and dangerous waves are likely for those near the water. The advisory period may continue for several hours, but no inundation is expected during an advisory. During an advisory, traffic on main roads often increases as residents prepare or begin to evacuate or return home to shelter in place.

Tsunami Warning

An inundating wave is possible. A tsunami threat is imminent, expected, or occurring.

How Tsunamis Behave (Important to Know)

In a tsunami situation, the ocean and waterways may first recede along the coast and shore, causing water levels to drop suddenly before rising rapidly. Multiple waves can arrive minutes to hours apart and may continue over several hours. The first wave is not always the largest.

Tsunami Causes

Depending on the cause of the tsunami, Hawaii residents may have a short or long notice to prepare.

Long-Distance Tsunamis

Earthquakes caused by plate tectonics in places like Alaska, Japan, and Chile can generate very large ocean waves that can strike the Hawaiian coast and cause catastrophic damage. These can come with four to 10 hours of warning, providing plenty of time for residents to evacuate to nearby higher ground.

Locally-Generated Tsunamis

Smaller-scale earthquakes frequently occur on or near Oahu, usually as the result of an undersea landslide or from volcanic activity on the island of Hawaii. While less likely to cause severe damage, these local tsunamis could strike in a matter of minutes with little to no warning. Evacuation time before contact for locally generated tsunamis can be less than 20 minutes.

Preparation

• Sign up for BYUH Alerts to stay informed on possible emergencies.
• Have an emergency kit with clean water and dry clothes.
• Place important documents in a sealable plastic bag.
• Know the zones that should be evacuated and where the nearest evacuation site is.

During a Tsunami

General Safety Actions

• Stay indoors and shelter in place unless instructed otherwise.
• Stay away from windows.
• Move to higher floors if storm surge worsens.
• Monitor official alerts via BYUH Alerts, radio, and local authorities.
• Stay informed of the status of shelters opening in case of evacuation.

If a Tsunami Watch Is Issued

• Stay alert for more information.
• Prepare to evacuate by securing documents and emergency kits.
• No evacuation is required during a watch.

If a Tsunami Advisory Is Issued

• Stay away from the shore.
• Plan to evacuate to a nearby safe location outside evacuation zones.
• Consider evacuating on foot due to increased traffic.

If a Tsunami Warning Is Issued

• Evacuate immediately.
• Move inland to the nearest high ground.
• Remain in the safe area until the official “ALL CLEAR” is issued.

Evacuation Sites

Evacuation from tsunami zones is required during a Tsunami Warning. Evacuate to the following locations:

On-Campus Sites

1. Students should evacuate vertically to the top floor of their hale or TVA building.
2. Kahualoala, Hawaiian Studies garden (as directed).

Off-Campus Sites

1. Quarry
2. Temple Hill
3. Gunstock Ranch

If you cannot reach any of these sites, do your best to get inland and to a higher level. Stay off roads to make way for emergency vehicles. Do not go to the beach to watch for waves, as you cannot outrun a tsunami.

For a more detailed evacuation map and instructions, see the HI-EMA and other linked resources below.