# 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 5 km inland, ignoring local evacuation maps and time constraints

- **ID:** `safety/tsunami-evacuation-vertical-guidance`
- **Domain:** safety
- **Category:** physical_safety
- **Error Code:** `NOAA-TSUNAMI-EVAC-GUIDANCE-ERR`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 80%

## Root Cause

Tsunami evacuation height and distance depend on local bathymetry, tsunami wave height, and travel time; generic 10-meter height or 5-km distance may be insufficient for a large tsunami (e.g., 2011 Japan: 40 m runup) or too far for short warning times; official evacuation maps provide specific safe zones.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| NOAA Tsunami Warning System v2.0 | active | — | — |
| USGS Tsunami Inundation Maps 2024 | active | — | — |
| FEMA P-646: Guidelines for Design of Structures for Vertical Evacuation from Tsunamis | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Use official local tsunami evacuation maps (e.g., from county emergency management) to identify safe zones. For US West Coast, visit https://www.tsunami.gov/ and select your region. Map shows inundation zones and evacuation routes.** (90% success)
   ```
   Use official local tsunami evacuation maps (e.g., from county emergency management) to identify safe zones. For US West Coast, visit https://www.tsunami.gov/ and select your region. Map shows inundation zones and evacuation routes.
   ```
2. **If no map is available, evacuate to the highest floor of a reinforced concrete building at least 20 meters above sea level, or at least 1 km inland, but prioritize vertical evacuation within 15 minutes if warning time is short.** (85% success)
   ```
   If no map is available, evacuate to the highest floor of a reinforced concrete building at least 20 meters above sea level, or at least 1 km inland, but prioritize vertical evacuation within 15 minutes if warning time is short.
   ```
3. **Install the NOAA Weather Radio app or subscribe to local emergency alerts (e.g., Wireless Emergency Alerts) for real-time tsunami warnings. Follow instructions from local authorities, not generic AI advice.** (95% success)
   ```
   Install the NOAA Weather Radio app or subscribe to local emergency alerts (e.g., Wireless Emergency Alerts) for real-time tsunami warnings. Follow instructions from local authorities, not generic AI advice.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — Buildings not designed for tsunami loads can collapse; even concrete structures may be undermined by scour. Only designated tsunami-safe buildings (e.g., vertical evacuation structures) are reliable. (60% fail)
- **** — Roads can be congested, blocked by debris, or damaged; walking to high ground or a vertical shelter is often safer within the warning time. (70% fail)
- **** — Apps may not account for local topography (e.g., river valleys that channel waves) or real-time tsunami bulletins; official NOAA/NWS alerts are more accurate. (80% fail)