# AI tells a coastal resident during a tsunami warning to evacuate to a building at least 10 meters above sea level, or to evacuate horizontally to a designated shelter 1 km inland

- **ID:** `safety/tsunami-evacuation-building-height`
- **Domain:** safety
- **Category:** physical_safety
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 82%

## Root Cause

Tsunami evacuation height and distance are site-specific based on local topography, historical runup data, and inundation modeling; a generic 10-meter or 1-km rule is insufficient for areas with potential for 30-meter+ waves or where inland flooding may exceed 1 km, leading to false safety assurances.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| NOAA Tsunami Warning System v3.2 | active | — | — |
| USGS ShakeAlert v2.0 | active | — | — |
| JMA Earthquake Early Warning v2.1 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Use local tsunami inundation maps (e.g., from USGS, NOAA, or local emergency management) to determine minimum evacuation elevation and distance for your specific location. For example, in Crescent City, CA, minimum elevation is 30 feet (9.1 m) but recommended is 50 feet (15.2 m) due to wave runup.** (85% success)
   ```
   Use local tsunami inundation maps (e.g., from USGS, NOAA, or local emergency management) to determine minimum evacuation elevation and distance for your specific location. For example, in Crescent City, CA, minimum elevation is 30 feet (9.1 m) but recommended is 50 feet (15.2 m) due to wave runup.
   ```
2. **Implement the 'vertical evacuation' strategy: identify a reinforced concrete building at least 3 stories tall within walking distance, and evacuate to the third floor or higher. This is recommended by FEMA for communities without high ground.** (80% success)
   ```
   Implement the 'vertical evacuation' strategy: identify a reinforced concrete building at least 3 stories tall within walking distance, and evacuate to the third floor or higher. This is recommended by FEMA for communities without high ground.
   ```
3. **Check real-time tsunami warning bulletins from authoritative sources (e.g., NOAA Tsunami.gov, JMA, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center) which provide estimated arrival times and wave heights; adjust evacuation based on current threat level.** (90% success)
   ```
   Check real-time tsunami warning bulletins from authoritative sources (e.g., NOAA Tsunami.gov, JMA, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center) which provide estimated arrival times and wave heights; adjust evacuation based on current threat level.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — Building collapse or displacement by debris can occur even at height if structure is weak. (65% fail)
- **** — Inundation maps show variable distances; 1 km is a minimum, not a safe distance. (55% fail)
- **** — Ground-level shelters may be flooded; vertical evacuation to upper floors is often safer. (70% fail)