PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – In recognition of California’s Tsunami Preparedness Week, observed March 23-31, 2024, the City of Long Beach Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications is encouraging residents to get informed, learn the warning signs of a tsunami, and develop and practice evacuation plans for their families, home and workplace.

“Although tsunamis in California are rare, the entire California coastline, including Long Beach, is vulnerable to these events,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “California Tsunami Week is an important reminder to everyone who live, work and visit our coastline to be well informed and prepared.”

Tsunamis can be caused by a local or near-source earthquake, a far-source earthquake or a landslide under the sea. A near-source tsunami could provide as little as 15 minutes before it reaches Long Beach’s shore, whereas a far-source tsunami could provide up to 15 hours before it reaches the local shore. When a tsunami is imminent, residents can generally mitigate injury by quickly moving to higher ground or inland.

“Tsunami waves cannot be surfed and are usually filled with debris and other hazards,” said Reginald Harrison, Director of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications. “In the event of a tsunami, all members of the public, especially those near the coastline, should immediately follow the direction of public notices and first responders when ordered to move to higher ground and stay there until notified that it is safe to return to the area.”

Tsunami Awareness Week serves as an annual reminder to refresh the community’s tsunami knowledge and emergency preparedness. The public can participate by familiarizing themselves with the following preparedness tips and resources:

• Stay Alert. Sign up for Alert Long Beach, the City’s emergency notification system. Residents living in the inundation/flood zone who are enrolled in Alert Long Beach will receive test notifications during Tsunami Awareness Week.
• Know Your Zone. Residents can find out if they live or work in the inundation/flood zone and plan an evacuation route by visiting the My Hazards webpage, presented by Cal OES, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
• Make a Plan. Determine with your family and/or place of work a meeting place should you need to evacuate, and establish a communications plan (English, Spanish) to stay connected, should you be separated. Residents are also encouraged to do a tsunami walk to practice their evacuation route with family and neighbors and practice what to do in the event of an earthquake and tsunami.
• Learn the Signs. Tsunamis often have warning signs such as an earthquake, a loud roar from the ocean, or an unusual ocean behavior, such as a sudden rise or wall of water or sudden draining of water showing the ocean floor.
• Be Ready to Evacuate. After receiving a tsunami warning from public officials or seeing the signs of a tsunami, get off the beach, out of the inundation zone and move to higher ground.
• Get Connected. Follow @lbdisasterprep on social media for Tsunami Awareness Week information and year-round preparedness tips.
• Prepare a Go-Bag. Residents should have a go-bag ready to evacuate when the need arises. The bag should contain essential items necessary for each family member and pets to be safe, comfortable and self-sustaining for up to five days.

More information about California Tsunami Week, including additional information, resources and list of events, is available at TsunamiZone.org.

Residents are encouraged to be prepared and self-sufficient for up to five days following a disaster by creating an emergency supply kit filled with items that are used on a daily basis. Residents are also encouraged to join the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) or take classes through the American Red cross to learn basic emergency medical procedure. 

To learn more about tsunamis and other disaster preparedness topics, as well as a complete list of resources, residents can visit the Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications website or follow @LBDisasterPrep on Facebook and Instagram.

About the City of Long Beach 
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.For more about Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications, visit longbeach.gov/disasterpreparedness.