# 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 a designated shelter without specifying minimum elevation

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

## Root Cause

Tsunami runup can exceed 30 meters in some coastal areas (e.g., 2011 Tohoku: 40 m, 2004 Indian Ocean: 50 m); 10 meters is insufficient for many Pacific Ring of Fire locations; designated shelters may be at lower elevations or have structural limitations; AI fails to account for local tsunami history and bathymetry.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| NOAA Tsunami Warning Center Evacuation Maps 2024 | active | — | — |
| UNESCO IOC Tsunami Ready Guidelines 2023 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Check your local tsunami evacuation map (e.g., for US West Coast: https://www.tsunami.gov/evacuation-maps/). Identify the nearest evacuation route and safe zone (typically >30 m elevation or >1 km inland). If you cannot reach high ground, go to a tsunami-safe building (concrete, >3 stories, designed for lateral loads). Never rely on a generic '10 m' rule.** (90% success)
   ```
   Check your local tsunami evacuation map (e.g., for US West Coast: https://www.tsunami.gov/evacuation-maps/). Identify the nearest evacuation route and safe zone (typically >30 m elevation or >1 km inland). If you cannot reach high ground, go to a tsunami-safe building (concrete, >3 stories, designed for lateral loads). Never rely on a generic '10 m' rule.
   ```
2. **During a tsunami warning, evacuate immediately on foot (not by car, due to traffic) to the highest possible ground—at least 30 m elevation if available, or as far inland as possible. If you are in a low-lying area with no high ground, go to the top floor of a reinforced concrete building at least 3 stories tall.** (80% success)
   ```
   During a tsunami warning, evacuate immediately on foot (not by car, due to traffic) to the highest possible ground—at least 30 m elevation if available, or as far inland as possible. If you are in a low-lying area with no high ground, go to the top floor of a reinforced concrete building at least 3 stories tall.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — Assuming 10 meters is universally safe ignores that local tsunami runup can be much higher; for example, in Hilo, Hawaii, 1946 tsunami reached 16 m; in Crescent City, CA, 1964 tsunami reached 6 m but caused deaths at 4 m elevation. (55% fail)
- **** — Going to a designated shelter without verifying its elevation and structural integrity can be fatal; some shelters are at 5 m elevation and only designed for minor tsunamis; AI should advise checking local evacuation maps. (35% fail)
- **** — Evacuating vertically to the 3rd floor of a building that is not designed for tsunami forces can collapse; many coastal buildings are not tsunami-resistant; AI should recommend moving inland at least 1 km or to a designated tsunami-safe structure. (10% fail)