Be aware of the natural signs
- Strong earthquake shaking (i.e. it is hard to stand up)
- Prolonged, weak earthquake shaking (i.e. a minute or more)
- A noticeable rapid rise or fall in coastal waters
- Water making unusual noise
Get to know your local area and/or holiday location
- If you live in, or are visiting, an area at risk from tsunami, be aware of tsunami evacuation zones and routes and warning methods and signage
- Find out if your home, school, workplace or other frequently visited locations are in tsunami hazard areas
- If you are visiting an area at risk from tsunami, check with the hotel, motel or campground operators for tsunami evacuation information and find out what the local warning system is for tsunami. It is important to know the designated escape routes before any warning is issued
- Know the tsunami evacuation zone, if present, for your area
Plan your route
- Plan evacuation routes from your home, school, workplace, or any other place you could be where tsunami present a risk
- Go as high or as far inland as you can; every metre inland or upward may make a difference. You should be able to reach your safe location on foot as soon as possible
- Plan to evacuate on foot or bike wherever possible to avoid congestion. After a disaster, roads may become impassable or blocked
- Follow posted tsunami evacuation routes where present; these will lead to safety
- Local emergency management officials can advise you on the best route to safety and likely shelter locations
School evacuation plans
- If your children’s school is in an identified evacuation zone, find out what the school evacuation plan is
- Find out if the plan requires you to pick up your children from a safe location after the “all-clear” is given
- Work with your school to make sure arrangements are in place for the school to evacuate children
- Telephone lines during a tsunami or other emergency may be overloaded, and routes to and from schools are likely to be jammed
- Practice your evacuation routes and plan - familiarity may save your life
- Be able to follow your escape route at night and during inclement weather
- Practicing your plan makes the appropriate response more of a reaction, requiring less thinking during an actual emergency situation
Stay tuned to local radio
Stay tuned to a local radio station to keep informed of local warnings and instructions.
Coromandel FM 89-106.7 FM
More FM Waikato 92.0 FM
More FM Taupo 93.5 FM
RadioLive 99.1 - 100 FM
Family plan
- Discuss tsunami with your family. Everyone should know what to do in a tsunami situation
- Discussing tsunami ahead of time will help reduce fear and save precious time in an emergency
- Develop a Household Emergency Plan and ensure you have a Getaway Kit ready should you need to leave in a hurry
- Be prepared to be on your own, without outside assistance, for at least three days. Prepare a three-day Emergency Survival Kit
- Assemble and make copies of important documents such as wills, insurance papers, medical records, etc. Keep original documents in a fireproof / waterproof container
- Arrange an out-of-area contact person
If you think you are at risk from tsunami
Check with your local council or civil defence offices to find out about the level of risk a tsunami may pose. Also check out the section on this website about Community Tsunami Action Plans.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more contact your local civil defence office by following the weblinks below:
Waikato Valley Civil Defence
Thames Valley Civil Defence
Taupo Civil Defence
Waikato Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group Office
More information
Tsunami warnings
Tsunami brochure (406kb PDF)
Back to the main tsunami page