# AI tells coastal residents to 'evacuate to high ground' during a tsunami, but vertical evacuation in reinforced concrete buildings is recommended if no time to reach high ground

- **ID:** `emergency/tsunami-vertical-evacuation-building`
- **Domain:** emergency
- **Category:** life_safety
- **Error Code:** `TSUNAMI-VERT-ERR-006`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 79%

## Root Cause

The AI omits the critical nuance that when time is insufficient to reach high ground (e.g., near-field tsunami), vertical evacuation to the upper floors (above predicted inundation height) of a tsunami-resistant building is the recommended alternative.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| NOAA TsunamiReady 2024 | active | — | — |
| USGS Tsunami Sources 2023 | active | — | — |
| UNESCO IOC Tsunami Guidance 2022 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Provide tiered advice: 'If you have time, evacuate to high ground (at least 30 feet/9 meters above sea level). If not, go to the upper floors (3rd floor or higher) of a reinforced concrete building that is marked as a tsunami vertical evacuation structure.'** (90% success)
   ```
   Provide tiered advice: 'If you have time, evacuate to high ground (at least 30 feet/9 meters above sea level). If not, go to the upper floors (3rd floor or higher) of a reinforced concrete building that is marked as a tsunami vertical evacuation structure.'
   ```
2. **Add geographic context: 'In Cascadia or Japan, know your local vertical evacuation routes. Look for signs showing tsunami-safe buildings.'** (85% success)
   ```
   Add geographic context: 'In Cascadia or Japan, know your local vertical evacuation routes. Look for signs showing tsunami-safe buildings.'
   ```
3. **Use a decision tree: 'Can you reach high ground within 15 minutes? Yes → go. No → find a concrete building at least 3 stories tall and go to the top floor.'** (88% success)
   ```
   Use a decision tree: 'Can you reach high ground within 15 minutes? Yes → go. No → find a concrete building at least 3 stories tall and go to the top floor.'
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Telling everyone to 'run to the nearest hill' regardless of distance** — In near-field tsunamis (e.g., Cascadia subduction zone), waves arrive in 15-30 minutes; running may not be feasible for elderly or disabled (80% fail)
- **Advising to 'climb a tree' as vertical evacuation** — Trees are not structurally safe; debris impact and water force can knock people out (95% fail)
- **Recommending 'go to the roof of a wooden house'** — Wooden structures are not tsunami-resistant; concrete buildings with deep foundations are required (85% fail)