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People walking calmly uphill away from the beach, a blue evacuation sign pointing uphill

Tsunami danger at the coast

The ground shakes, then the sea draws back and exposes the seabed. That is not a spectacle but the signal to run uphill at once.

First

  1. With an official warning or natural warning signs act at once: do not wait for confirmation.
  2. Go high and inland as fast as possible – on foot if roads are jammed.
  3. Follow the signposted evacuation routes.
  4. Only return when the authorities give the all-clear – there are often several waves.

Call emergency services if

  • Someone is in the water, injured or missing
  • You are trapped and cannot get higher
  • After the all-clear: damaged buildings, utility lines or injured people

Emergency numbers for Austria · Change region

What is happening

Tsunamis are mostly caused by strong earthquakes under the sea, less often by volcanic eruptions or landslides. They can reach coasts within a short time – in some places before an official warning is possible.

That is why there are two kinds of warning: official warnings by siren, announcement and phone, and natural warning signs. Ready.gov lists as natural signs an earthquake, a loud roar from the ocean and unusual behaviour of the water, such as a sudden rise or the sea drawing far back. Anyone who notices one of these does not wait for confirmation.

The rule is simple: as high and as far inland as possible, ideally on foot, because roads jam quickly. Where that is not possible in time, a tall, sturdy building can offer protection. A tsunami often consists of several waves over hours; the first is not always the largest.

This page summarises the most important steps. Coastal places at risk of tsunamis have signposted evacuation routes – it is worth looking at them as soon as you arrive.

Step by step

Tsunami danger at the coast – Phase 1 of 4Recognise the warning signs. In a strong earthquake protect yourself first: drop, cover, hold on. Watch for natural signs: the sea suddenly draws back or rises, a roar from the sea. Take official warnings seriously: sirens, announcements, phone alerts. Do not go to the water to look.
Phase 1 of 4

Phase 1 of 4

Recognise the warning signs

In a strong earthquake protect yourself first: drop, cover, hold on. Watch for natural signs: the sea suddenly draws back or rises, a roar from the sea. Take official warnings seriously: sirens, announcements, phone alerts. Do not go to the water to look.

The animation shows the key actions of each phase schematically; the text below is what counts.

  1. Phase 1

    Recognise the warning signs

    • In a strong earthquake protect yourself first: drop, cover, hold on.
    • Watch for natural signs: the sea suddenly draws back or rises, a roar from the sea.
    • Take official warnings seriously: sirens, announcements, phone alerts.
    • Do not go to the water to look.

  2. Phase 2

    Go high and inland at once

    • Leave at once – fetch nothing, do not pack.
    • Follow the evacuation signs, as high and far inland as possible.
    • Go on foot if roads are jammed.
    • Carry children or hold their hand; help others who are slower.

  3. Phase 3

    If there is not enough time

    • Go as high as possible in a tall, sturdy building, up to the roof if necessary.
    • Anyone in the water: hold on to something that floats.
    • Stay visible and wait for help.
    • Do not go back to the coast, even if the water recedes.

  4. Phase 4

    Wait for the all-clear

    • Stay on high ground until the authorities give the all-clear – there are often several waves.
    • Send relatives a text message; networks are often overloaded.
    • Let your accommodation or the authorities know that you are safe; abroad, the consulate too.
    • After the all-clear avoid damaged buildings and utility lines.

★ Pro tips

What experienced people do differently: proven practice from mountain rescue, fire services, lifeguards and civil protection that beginners rarely know.

  1. "Long or strong" – then go at once

    On tsunami-prone coasts people learn the rule: if a quake is so strong you can hardly stand, or lasts a long time (around 20 seconds or more), head high and inland as soon as the shaking stops. Do not wait for a siren. After a quake close to the coast, the first wave can arrive before any official warning.

  2. Walk your escape route once

    On the first day of your holiday, walk from your hotel to the nearest high point once and see how long it takes. In an emergency you will not have to look for signs, even at night or in a crowd. Show the route to your children too.

  3. Even small waves are dangerous

    A tsunami is not an ordinary wave but a huge mass of water that surges in and out with strong currents. Even half a metre can knock you down and tear boats from their moorings in harbours. Stay out of the water and away from beaches and harbours, even if only a "small" wave is forecast.

  4. On a boat: head for deep water

    Out on deep water a tsunami is barely noticeable; it becomes dangerous near the coast and in harbours. So if you are already on the water and there is time, head out to deep water rather than back to port. If the boat is in the harbour, leave it and go uphill on foot.

What to watch out for

  • The retreating sea

    When the sea draws far back, that is a warning sign. Do not walk out to collect shells or fish or to take photos.

  • The first wave

    Returning after the first wave is dangerous. Later waves can be larger.

  • Traffic jams

    Anyone fleeing by car can get stuck in a jam. On foot you often reach safety faster.

  • River and canal mouths

    Tsunami waves can run up rivers and canals. Keep your distance there too.

Common mistakes

  • Waiting for an official warning although the ground has shaken.
  • Going to the beach to look or film.
  • Fetching things from the hotel room.
  • Getting stuck in a traffic jam by car.
  • Returning after the first wave.

Prepare in advance

  • At your holiday destination look at the evacuation signs and the nearest high point.
  • Agree on a meeting point on high ground with your family.
  • Activate the country's warning apps or phone alerts.
  • Keep important documents and medication to hand in a small bag.
  • Read your foreign ministry's travel advice and register if appropriate.

Special consideration

Children
Children should know: when the ground shakes hard or the sea disappears, we run at once to the agreed high place.
People with limited mobility
Where possible choose accommodation on upper floors of a sturdy building and agree beforehand who helps in an emergency.

Sources

  • Tsunamis · Ready.gov – U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  • Drop, Cover, and Hold On · Earthquake Country Alliance – Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills
  • 112 – the European emergency number · European Commission

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All rules of this situation (5)

  1. [not active] If What has happened? = Strong earthquake, the sea draws back or a roar from the sea

    During a quake protect yourself first (drop, cover, hold on). As soon as it stops: go high and inland at once without waiting for a warning. Never walk out towards the retreating sea.

  2. [not active] If Where are you? = In a hotel or house near the coast

    If high ground and inland cannot be reached in time: go as high as possible in a tall, sturdy building.

  3. [not active] If Where are you? = On the beach

    On the beach leave at once, do not go back for belongings. Several waves are possible – the first is not always the largest.

  4. [not active] If With you = Children

    Carry children or hold their hand. Agree beforehand on a meeting point on high ground in case you get separated.

  5. [not active] If With you = Someone with limited mobility

    Leave early and accept help from others. If the way is too far, go as high as possible in a sturdy building.