Tsunami evacuation precautions

Pre-disaster Alert

 1. There is usually a largeearthquake before the occurrence of a tsunami. If you are located in an at-riskcoastal area, you should prepare to evacuate.

2. If you see the seawater rapidlyretreating and the beach is exposed, these are signs of an impending tsunami.Retreat to high ground immediately.

Disaster response

1. Take everything you need andmove to a strong structure or high rooftop.

2. If time allows, open all thedoors and windows.

3. For a short-distance escape, donot take a vehicle, to prevent becoming trapped in the vehicle.

4. If you cannot move to a higherlocation, search for a fixed object and hold on tightly.

5. If you have a life jacket, wearthe life jacket and hold on to/climb on to a buoyant object.

6. If you are in the water, avoidcolliding with large floating objects.

Post-disaster handling

After the first wave of thetsunami, do not return home immediately, because there may be a second wave ofthe tsunami. Wait until the tsunami warning has been lifted before returninghome.

Issuing and lifting of the tsunamiwarning

Issuing the warning

Tsunamis caused by far-offearthquakes: if the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) announces that thetsunami can reach Taiwan within 3 hours, the Central Weather Bureau will issuethe tsunami warning.

Tsunamis caused by nearbyearthquakes: the Central Weather Bureau will announce a tsunami warning if theBureau’s earthquake reporting system detects a near-shore earthquake that isstronger than 7.0 on the Richter scale and is located in a crustal regionshallower than 35km.

Lifting the warning
When the PTWC lifts the tsunamiwarning or when the Central Weather Bureau tide station information indicates thatthere is no longer a tsunami threat, the Central Weather Bureau will lift thetsunami warning.