World Tsunami Awareness Day
World Tsunami Awareness Day, observed each November 5,
reminds residents of Surfside and the Long Beach Peninsula to prepare before an emergency. Use the occasion to review your evacuation route, check your backpack, set up emergency alerts, and arrange help for neighbors who may need assistance. Strong or prolonged coastal shaking is a natural warning: drop, cover, and hold on, then evacuate toward your planned safe destination as soon as you can move safely—without waiting for a siren or phone notification.
Prepare your evacuation route, backpack, emergency apps, and backup communications before disaster strikes.
For residents of Surfside, Ocean Park, and the Long Beach Peninsula, preparedness begins with a practical question: Does everyone in your household know where to go and how to get there?
The Surfside Earthquake and Tsunami Preparedness Guide brings together evacuation planning, supply checklists, communication options, and official resources. Its central message is straightforward: protect yourself during shaking, evacuate promptly after strong or prolonged coastal shaking, and communicate after reaching safety.
Know and practice your evacuation route
Moving away from the beach does not automatically mean reaching safety. Identify a destination outside the mapped tsunami hazard zone, plan an alternate route, and practice with your household’s backpacks and mobility equipment.
Road damage, fallen debris, and damaged bridges could complicate evacuation. Arrange assistance for anyone who needs it before an emergency.
Read our evacuation-route article:
https://surfsidewa.com/2025/07/30/tsunami-preparedness-on-the-long-beach-peninsula-know-your-evacuation-routes/
Pack a backpack you can carry
Include water, compact food, essential medications, a flashlight, rain protection, warm clothing, printed contacts, and an evacuation map. Keep the bag accessible and test its weight on your route.
Maintain larger emergency reserves separately. Never delay evacuation to finish packing or retrieve equipment.
Read our backpack checklist:
https://surfsidewa.com/2026/06/04/building-a-tsunami-evacuation-backpack-lessons-from-japans-go-bag-checklist/
Set up earthquake and tsunami apps now
Emergency apps can supplement a household plan. Our Pacific County preparedness article introduces MyShake, Android earthquake alerts, the NVS Tsunami Evacuation app, FEMA’s app, and other resources.
Understand their different purposes: earthquake alerts prompt immediate protective action, while tsunami maps help you plan where to evacuate. Washington’s emergency-management website notes that NVS address-based routing is available through its website rather than its mobile app. Print your route so you can use it without service.
Read our article covering preparedness and emergency apps:
https://surfsidewa.com/2026/10/09/tsunami-and-earthquake-preparedness-in-pacific-county-washington/
Read our earthquake and tsunami warning-resource article:
https://surfsidewa.com/2024/12/05/tsunami-warning-centers/
Current Washington alert setup guidance:
https://mil.wa.gov/alerts
Official tsunami maps and NVS app links:
https://mil.wa.gov/tsunami-resources
Interactive evacuation planning:
https://nvs.nanoos.org/TsunamiEvac
Do not wait for an app notification or siren after strong or prolonged coastal shaking. Drop, cover, and hold on during shaking; once you can move safely, evacuate toward your planned safe destination.
Prepare backup communications and power
Choose an out-of-area contact and meeting locations outside the hazard zone. Keep the details on paper, along with charged batteries and a radio.
Compatible phone satellite messaging and a separate Starlink internet terminal offer different communication options. Both require preparation, suitable conditions, and power. Confirm device eligibility and service requirements before an outage.
T-Mobile satellite communication:
https://surfsidewa.com/2026/09/15/t-mobile-satellite-service-could-keep-coastal-residents-connected-when-cell-towers-fail/
Satellite messaging and Starlink internet:
https://surfsidewa.com/2025/12/22/t-mobile-satellite-communication-and-starlink-internet-modern-lifelines-beyond-cell-towers/
Starlink portable service and seasonal planning:
https://surfsidewa.com/2026/10/25/starlink-rv-internet-how-seasonal-service-and-standby-mode-can-save-hundreds-of-dollars-annually/
Portable batteries and compatible solar panels can support communications after reaching safety. Begin with charged batteries and allow for reduced solar production during cloudy coastal weather.
Keep official resources accessible
Pacific County Emergency Management:
https://pcema.info/
County emergency-alert registration:
https://pacificcountyemalerts.genasys.com/
Official tsunami bulletins:
https://www.tsunami.gov/
Washington emergency-supply guidance:
https://mil.wa.gov/kits
The most useful preparation is something your household can practice: verify the destination, walk the route, carry the bag, and make sure everyone knows the communication plan.
