FAQ

What can I do to prepare myself in case a tsunami comes?

2016-08-24T22:13:39+00:00

Look out for the NATURAL TSUNAMI WARNING SIGNS

In addition to tsunami alert messages issued by warning centres and national authorities, tsunamis may be accompanied by natural warning signs and recognizing any of these signs could save your life!

FEEL

Big local earthquakes can cause tsunamis

FEEL the ground shaking severely or for a long time?

SEE

Tsunamis may be preceded by a rapid fall in sea level which exposes reefs, rocks, and fishes on the bottom of the sea as the ocean recedes

Tsunamis often come ashore as a wall of water, and quickly flood inland.

SEE an unusual disappearance of water, or an oncoming wall of water?

HEAR

Abnormal ocean activity, a wall of water, and approaching tsunami create a loud "roaring" sound similar to that of a train or jet aircraft

HEAR the roar?

RUN

Don’t wait for official evacuation orders as there may not be enough time

Immediately leave low-lying coastal areas

Move inland to higher ground

RUN if you see a tsunami coming!

Obey the instructions from local authorities.

Source: CDEMA, 2010

For Users of Sea Vessels

2016-06-15T11:36:43+00:00

Since tsunami waves cannot be seen in the open ocean, do not return to port if you are at sea and a tsunami warning has been issued. Port facilities may become damaged and hazardous with debris. Listen to mariner radio reports when it is safe to return to port.
Tsunamis can cause rapid changes in water level and unpredictable dangerous currents that are magnified in ports and harbors. Damaging wave activity can continue for many hours following initial tsunami impact. Contact the harbor authority or listen to mariner radio reports. Make sure that conditions in the harbor are safe for navigation and berthing.
Boats are safer from tsunami damage while in the deep ocean (> 100 m) rather than moored in a harbor. But, do not risk your life and attempt to motor your boat into deep water if it is too close to wave arrival time. Anticipate slowdowns caused by traffic gridlock and hundreds of other boaters heading out to sea.
For a locally-generated tsunami, there will be no time to motor a boat into deep water because waves can come ashore within minutes. Leave your boat at the pier and physically move to higher ground.
For a tele-tsunami generated far away, there will be more time (one or more hours) to deploy a boat. Listen for official tsunami wave arrival time estimates and plan accordingly.
Most large harbors and ports are under the control of a harbor authority and/or a vessel traffic system. These authorities direct operations during periods of increased readiness, including the forced movement of vessels if deemed necessary. Keep in contact with authorities when tsunami warnings are issued.

Download and print these boater safety tips:

Can tsunamis occur in the Caribbean or its adjacent regions?

2016-08-24T22:12:44+00:00

At least 75 tsunamis have impacted the Caribbean and adjacent regions within the last 500 years. All known sources capable of causing tsunamis are found within the Caribbean and adjacent regions and there is also a risk from distant sources across the Atlantic. Some countries within the Caribbean and adjacent regions are also exposed to tsunamis along their Pacific coastlines.

What types of tsunamis exist?

2016-08-24T22:12:13+00:00

Dependent on the distance of the tsunami from its source, it may be classified as a:

Local tsunami:

A local tsunami is one that originates from within about 100 km or less than 1 hour tsunami travel time from the impacted coastline. Local tsunamis can result in a significant number of casualties since authorities have little time to warn/evacuate the population.

Regional tsunami:

A regional tsunami is one that is capable of destruction in a particular geographical region, generally within 1,000 km from its source. Regional tsunamis can arrive to affected coastlines within 1-3 hours of being generated, however, as with local tsunamis, due to the limited warning time they can still prove very destructive and deadly.

Tele-tsunami/Ocean-wide tsunami/Distant tsunami:

A tsunami originating from a source, generally more than 1,000 km or more than 3 hours tsunami travel time from the impacted coastline is called an ocean-wide or distant or tele-tsunami. These tsunamis are less frequent, but more hazardous than regional tsunamis, as they usually start as a local tsunami that causes extensive destruction to a shoreline near the source, and the waves continue to travel across an entire ocean basin with sufficient energy to cause additional casualties and destruction on shores more than a 1,000 km from the source. These tsunamis have the ability to cause widespread destruction, not only in the immediate region but across an entire ocean. All ocean-wide tsunamis have been generated by major earthquakes.

After a Tsunami

2016-06-15T11:31:27+00:00

If possible, stay tuned to a radio or television to get the latest emergency information.
Once the ALL-CLEAR is given:
- Help injured or trapped people and call for help, if necessary.
- Keep out of stagnant water.
- Open windows and doors to help dry buildings.
- Stay out of damaged buildings. Return home only when authorities say it is safe to do so.
- Remove mud while it is still moist to give walls and floors an opportunity to dry.
- Check food supply and test drinking water.
- Fresh food that has come in contact with flood water may be contaminated and should be discarded.
- Check for damage to sewer and water lines.

What is a Tsunami?

2016-08-24T22:11:40+00:00

A tsunami (tsoo-NAH-mee) is a series of enormous waves caused by a major disturbance of a body of water. This disturbance can be caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, submarine landslides, coastal rock falls or a large asteroid impacting the ocean. Tsunamis are also known as seismic sea waves and are mistakenly called “tidal waves”.

During a Tsunami

2016-06-15T11:29:16+00:00

Follow official guidance but do not wait for an official warning before evacuating as authorities may not have enough time to issue a Tsunami Warning.
If you are at the beach and recognize signs of a tsunami - such as a severe ground shaking, the sea pulling back significantly from the shoreline or an unusual roar from the ocean - leave the area and move immediately to higher ground.
Sometimes, tsunamis may occur without the initial pulling back of the sea. In this case, a massive wall of water may be seen approaching land. If you can see the wave, you are already too close to outrun it.
If you are unable to move to higher ground, go to an upper floor (at least the 3rd storey) or roof of a concrete and reinforced building. As a last resort, climb a strong tree if trapped on low ground.
If swept up by a tsunami, look for something to use as a raft.
A tsunami is not a single wave but a series of waves that can come ashore for hours.
The first wave may not be the largest.
If a Tsunami Warning is issued, NEVER go down to the beach to watch the waves come in.
Do not try to surf the tsunami.
Stay out of danger areas until an “ALL-CLEAR” is issued by a recognized authority e.g. your local disaster management office. A tsunami can last for hours.