Tsunami Guide You may be at risk of tsunami if you live in or visit coastal areas of NSW. For emergency assistance during a flood, storm or tsunami call NSW SES on 132 500. or visit ses.nsw.gov.au What can you do to prepare? In NSW tsunami risk is low but the impacts can be severe. Preparing now can help to protect your family & minimise the potential damage caused by a tsunami & other severe weather events. Check your insurance policies are up to date & provide adequate cover. Identify where & how to turn off your electricity, gas & water mains. Secure loose outdoor items when not in use. Prepare your Emergency Kit to take with you in the event of a tsunami. Walking to evacuation areas is preferred, so only plan to take what you can carry. Review your Emergency Plan & discuss it with your family, friends & neighbours. Tsunami evacuation map This map shows evacuation areas in the event of a land-threat tsunami. If you need to evacuate, the best option is to stay with friends & family in a safe location outside of these areas. Scan the QR code to view. What can you do during a tsunami? When a tsunami warning is issued, evacuating on foot to higher ground is the safest action. Act on the first warning you receive & immediately follow safety advice. If a Marine and Immediate Foreshore Threat warning is issued: Leave the water & move away from coastal areas like beaches, harbours & estuaries. Boats in shallow waters should return to land or the nearest mooring. Secure your boat & move to higher ground. Boats that are already offshore should move to deeper waters until it’s safe to return. If a Land Inundation Threat warning is issued, follow the advice above & also: Go to higher ground, at least 10m above sea level or 1km inland. If you can’t leave the area, take shelter in upper floors of a sturdy building. If possible, evacuate on foot to avoid roads that may be closed or congested. Only take essential items that you can carry with you (e.g. documents & medications). If you trapped by during a tsunami, it is unlikely NSW SES will be able to rescue you. This is a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000). Recovering from a tsunami After a tsunami, NSW SES will advise when it is safe for residents & businesses to return to an affected area. Depending on the impacts it may not be safe to return for 24hrs or longer. Visiting damaged areas can put your life & the lives of others at risk. Do not go back to your property if warnings are still active. Avoid entering damaged buildings unless authorities tell you it is safe to return. Assess your home & property for damage. Make sure the electricity & gas are turned off before going inside. Seek professional assessments for damaged structures, utilities & insurance matters. Discard any food & drinks that have been contaminated by flooding. Only use utensils & personal items that have been cleaned. Keep away from fallen powerlines & other remaining hazards. Check to see if your neighbours need help. If you have been impacted by tsunami, additional recovery support will be available for you. To learn more about recovering from tsunami, visit: ses.nsw.gov.au/recovery Know the warnings NSW SES will distribute tsunami warnings & information through the Australian Warning System (AWS), including: Advice An incident is happening. Stay up to date in case the situation changes. Emergency Warning You may be in danger & need to take action immediately. Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) will issue three levels of tsunami threat warnings, they are: No Threat Marine and Immediate Foreshore Threat Land Inundation Threat To learn more about the AWS & warnings, visit: ses.nsw.gov.au/warnings Learn the natural signs You may not always receive an official warning. When looking out for natural signs, you may: Feel the ground shake. See the water draw back from the shoreline. Hear a loud roaring sound from the ocean. If you notice any of these natural signs, don’t wait for a warning. Move away from the water’s edge & go to higher ground. The information and material on this resource is general in nature and is intended for information purposes only. © State of New South Wales (NSW State Emergency Service) October 2024 Be prepared with these apps Download these four apps for weather warnings, hazard notifications, road impacts & help from emergency services. Hazards Near Me NSW Set up your watch zones to receive notifications on changing local conditions. Emergency Plus The ‘what 3 words’ feature shares your precise location with emergency services. BOM Weather Check for weather forecasts, radars & warnings wherever you are. Live Traffic NSW Plan ahead & see what hazards are impacting your route on NSW roads. For more information, visit: ses.nsw.gov.au Connect with /NSWSES