Skip to main content
main content, press tab to continue
Claims

Severe weather crisis claims response guidelines: tsunami

In this installment of disaster prep, learn how to minimize tsunami damage to commercial and residential structures, stay safe before, during, and after the event, and to efficiently file insurance claims.

Contact Us

Minimizing Tsunami Damage and Staying Safe

Tsunamis are powerful ocean waves caused by earthquakes, landslides, or volcanic eruptions that can cause widespread destruction and loss of life when they reach coastal areas. Understanding the dangers and taking appropriate safety measures can significantly reduce the risk of injury or loss.

Recognizing Tsunami Warning Signs

Being aware of the warning signs can help you prepare and stay safe:

  • Sudden Ocean Withdrawal: A sudden and unexpected withdrawal of the ocean water, exposing large areas of beach and coastline.
  • Tsunami Warning Sirens: Many coastal areas have sirens that sound during a tsunami warning.
  • Official Alerts: Pay attention to alerts from local news, emergency management agencies, or tsunami warning systems.
  • Unusual Ocean Behavior: Sudden changes in ocean behavior, such as a rapid rise or fall in sea level.

Pre-Tsunami Preparations

  1. Know Your Risk: Understand if you live in a tsunami-prone area and know the evacuation routes.
  2. Create an Emergency Plan: Develop a family emergency plan that includes a communication strategy and a meeting point outside the tsunami zone.
  3. Stay Informed: Stay updated with the latest tsunami warnings and evacuation instructions from local authorities.

During a Tsunami

  1. Evacuate Immediately: If a tsunami warning is issued for your area, evacuate to higher ground or designated tsunami shelters immediately.
  2. Stay Away from the Coast: Avoid being near the coastline or any body of water that could be affected by the tsunami.
  3. Follow Evacuation Routes: Use designated evacuation routes and avoid shortcuts or routes that may be blocked or hazardous.

Post-Tsunami Actions

  1. Wait for Official Clearance: Only return to affected areas after local authorities have given the all-clear.
  2. Be Aware of Hazards: Be cautious of hazards such as contaminated water, structural damage, and fallen power lines.
  3. Support Recovery Efforts: Follow instructions from local authorities and support recovery efforts in your community.

By understanding tsunami dangers and taking these safety measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of injury or loss during a tsunami.

Minimizing tsunami damage and staying safe

Tsunamis are powerful ocean waves caused by earthquakes, landslides, or volcanic eruptions that can cause widespread destruction and loss of life when they reach coastal areas. Understanding the dangers and taking appropriate safety measures can significantly reduce the risk of injury or loss.

Recognizing tsunami warning signs

Being aware of the warning signs can help you prepare and stay safe:

  • Sudden ocean withdrawal: A sudden and unexpected withdrawal of the ocean water, exposing large areas of beach and coastline.
  • Tsunami warning sirens: Many coastal areas have sirens that sound during a tsunami warning.
  • Official alerts: Pay attention to alerts from local news, emergency management agencies, or tsunami warning systems.
  • Unusual ocean behavior: Sudden changes in ocean behavior, such as a rapid rise or fall in sea level.

Pre-tsunami preparations

  1. Know your risk: Understand if you live in a tsunami-prone area and know the evacuation routes.
  2. Create an emergency plan: Develop a family emergency plan that includes a communication strategy and a meeting point outside the tsunami zone.
  3. Stay informed: Stay updated with the latest tsunami warnings and evacuation instructions from local authorities.

During a tsunami

  1. Evacuate immediately: If a tsunami warning is issued for your area, evacuate to higher ground or designated tsunami shelters immediately.
  2. Stay away from the coast: Avoid being near the coastline or any body of water that could be affected by the tsunami.
  3. Follow evacuation routes: Use designated evacuation routes and avoid shortcuts or routes that may be blocked or hazardous.

Post-tsunami actions

  1. Wait for official clearance: Only return to affected areas after local authorities have given the all-clear.
  2. Be aware of hazards: Be cautious of hazards such as contaminated water, structural damage, and fallen power lines.
  3. Support recovery efforts: Follow instructions from local authorities and support recovery efforts in your community.

By understanding tsunami dangers and taking these safety measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of injury or loss during a tsunami.

Download our guide for more information

Navigate claims with post loss assistance

Navigate the often complicated claims process and maximize your financial recovery with data analysis and loss quantification prepared by the Forensic Accounting and Complex Claims team.

The significant impact of catastrophic Events create uncertainty and potential economic loss. You can prepare for post recovery and maximize the value of your claim with deep-subject matter expertise. We assist clients in all types of industries with our strategic approach, and by utilizing methodologies and structure that insurers are already familiar with, allowing for an efficient claims process.

Contact us