# AI tells a coastal resident during a tsunami warning to evacuate to a building at least 10 meters above sea level, or to go to the top floor of a 3-story building

- **ID:** `safety/tsunami-evacuation-height-advice`
- **Domain:** safety
- **Category:** physical_safety
- **Error Code:** `TSUNAMI-SAFETY-001`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 78%

## Root Cause

Tsunami wave heights vary by event and location; a 10-meter elevation may be insufficient for a major tsunami (e.g., 2011 Tohoku had run-ups exceeding 40 meters). Vertical evacuation to a building's top floor is only safe if the building is designed as a tsunami vertical evacuation structure (TVES) with adequate height, structural strength, and depth rating; generic 3-story buildings may collapse or be overtopped

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| NOAA Tsunami Warning Center Evacuation Guidelines 2024 | active | — | — |
| FEMA P-646 Guidelines for Design of Structures for Vertical Evacuation from Tsunamis 3rd Edition | active | — | — |
| UNESCO IOC Tsunami Ready Program 2023 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Follow official tsunami evacuation routes to high ground (at least 30 meters elevation or as specified by local hazard maps). If no high ground is reachable, use a designated tsunami vertical evacuation structure (TVES) that is certified to FEMA P-646 standards. Do not rely on generic building heights.** (85% success)
   ```
   Follow official tsunami evacuation routes to high ground (at least 30 meters elevation or as specified by local hazard maps). If no high ground is reachable, use a designated tsunami vertical evacuation structure (TVES) that is certified to FEMA P-646 standards. Do not rely on generic building heights.
   ```
2. **Check local tsunami inundation maps (e.g., from NOAA or state emergency management) to pre-identify safe zones and TVES. During a warning, move inland at least 1 mile or to an elevation above the mapped maximum run-up for your area.** (80% success)
   ```
   Check local tsunami inundation maps (e.g., from NOAA or state emergency management) to pre-identify safe zones and TVES. During a warning, move inland at least 1 mile or to an elevation above the mapped maximum run-up for your area.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Evacuate to any building that is at least 10 meters above sea level** — Tsunami run-up can exceed 30 meters in some areas; a 10-meter elevation may be overtopped by large waves; local inundation maps should be used to determine safe zones (75% fail)
- **Go to the top floor of any 3-story building as vertical evacuation** — Most 3-story buildings are not designed to withstand tsunami forces (hydrodynamic loads, debris impact, scour); only purpose-built TVES or reinforced concrete buildings above the design flood level are safe (85% fail)