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Tsunamis

Always call 911 if you are in immediate danger and need emergency help.

Prepare for a tsunami

A tsunami can strike violently and with little warning. Once a warning is issued there may be little time to prepare other than getting to a safe location.

For water and wastewater facilities:

Suggested activities to help facilities prepare. Please note, the linked information is written for hurricane preparedness but much of it can be adapted for any disaster planning.

Planning for disaster debris:

Damage debris includes destroyed structures, hazardous waste, green waste, or personal property - but needs to be disposed of properly to avoid risks to health and the environment. More information

Chemical or fertilizer storage:

Properly designed or modified storage facilities enhance worker safety and minimize the risk contamination.

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Recover after a tsunami

Expect more waves. Stay away from spills and damaged facilities. Clean up spilled medicines, cleaners and solvents, gasoline or other fuels, or other potentially hazardous substances. More on tsunamis from ready.gov

People get sick or die each year from carbon monoxide or "CO" poisoning due to unsafe use of generators.

Indoor air:

Broken gas lines greatly increase the risk of fire, explosion, or poor air quality. If you smell gas, open windows and shut off the main gas line. Notify the utility or other authorities.

Drinking water:

For water and wastewater facilities:

Suggested activities to help facilities recover Please note, the linked information is written for hurricane recovery but much of it will still apply to any recovery activities.

Flooding and mold:

Pesticides, chemical and oil spills, hazardous waste:

What to do with disaster debris:

How a community manages massive amounts of disaster debris depends on the debris and any waste management options available. Burying or burning may not be acceptable unless permission or a waiver has been granted, because of the side effects of smoke and fire from burning, and potential water and soil contamination. Typical methods of recycling and solid waste disposal in sanitary landfills often cannot be applied to disaster debris because of the large volume of waste and reluctance to overburden existing disposal capacity. More information on disaster debris.

Renovation and rebuilding

Lead-safe work: By law, contractors need to use lead-safe work practices on emergency renovations on homes or buildings built before 1978. Activities such as sanding, cutting, and demolition can create lead-based paint hazards. Lead-contaminated dust is harmful to adults, particularly pregnant women, and children.

Asbestos: Anyone working on demolition, removal, and cleanup of building debris needs be aware of any asbestos and to handle asbestos materials properly. People exposed to asbestos dust can develop serious lung health problems including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Although the use of asbestos has dramatically decreased in recent years, it is still found in many residential and commercial buildings and can pose a serious health risk.

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