During a tsunami

Know your warnings

The NSW SES will issue warnings for tsunami using the Australian Warning System, including Advice and Emergency Warning.

The three warning levels the Bureau of Meteorology will issue include:

In Australia you may receive an official tsunami warning, however it is also important to be aware of the natural warning signs.

You may:

• FEEL the earth shake. If you are near the ocean and you feel the ground shake, a strong earthquake may have occurred and possibly caused a tsunami. However, you may not feel the earth shake if the earthquake occurred long way away.
• SEE the ocean drop. Before a tsunami arrives, the ocean level may (but not always) drop dramatically before returning as a wall of water. If you notice that the water is disappearing, tell your family and friends and prepare to move to higher ground.
• HEAR an unusual roaring sound. If you hear a loud roaring sound from the ocean (a bit like an aeroplane or a train), tell your family and friends. This sound may be heard before a tsunami arrives. 

Visit the What is a tsunami page for more information.

During a tsunami

Tsunami warning siren

If you are on or near a public beach, a warning siren may be activated by Surf Life Saving NSW. People in the water, or the immediate area will be instructed to evacuate and move away from the affected area.

Marine and immediate foreshore threat warning

If a Marine and immediate foreshore threat warning threat level is issued:  

• Get out of the water and move away from the immediate water's edge of harbours, coastal estuaries, rock platforms, and beaches.  
• Boats in harbours, estuaries and in shallow coastal water should return to shore. Secure your boat and move away from the waterfront.  
• Vessels already at sea should stay offshore in deep water until further advised.

Land inundation threat warning

If a Land inundation threat warning level is issued follow the advice for a Marine and Immediate foreshore threat plus: 

• Go to higher ground, at least ten metres above sea level, or if possible, move at least one kilometre away from all beaches and the water's edge of harbours and coastal estuaries.
• If you cannot leave the area, take shelter at least 10 metres high in a sturdy brick or concrete building.

If you are trapped by tsunami, find a safe location and stay there until you are rescued.

Be aware

• During tsunami, the safest action is to leave low-lying coastal areas (evacuate) and head at least 1 kilometre inland away from any water. If you cannot travel inland, go to higher ground, at least 10 metres high in a sturdy building.
• Being near the coast or any water linked to the ocean will place your life at risk.
• If you do not evacuate, it is unlikely NSW SES will rescue you during a tsunami. 

Make safe decisions

• Act on the first warning you receive and immediately follow the safety advice.
• Walk if you are asked to evacuate and take your emergency kit with you.
• Plan where you will walk to if there is a tsunami warning and let your family, friends and neighbours know this location. 

Stay safe

• Stay in a safe location until emergency services say it is safe to return or until you are rescued. 
• In life-threatening emergencies, call triple zero (000). 
• You will be advised when it is safe to return after tsunami. 
• Take care after an emergency as dangerous conditions may still exist.
• Throw out food and drink (including water) which has been in contact with tsunami water. Only use clean and sterile utensils and personal items. Have a supply of fresh drinking water.

Follow advice

• You will be advised when it is safe to return after tsunami.
• Keep listening to media outlets and NSW SES socials for information, updates and advice.
• An emergency alert may be sent to your phone (text or voice message) with information about the current emergency.  
• NSW SES may not be able to get to you immediately. You may need to rely on yourself or family, friends or neighbours for a period of time. 

Look out for each other

We can all work together towards being ready.

• If it is safe to do so, check to see if your neighbours need help.  
• Support someone who may require further assistance.
• Contacting your friends, neighbours and family when flooding is about to happen will help:
  • ensure that everybody understands your emergency plan; 
  • people to assist each other where necessary;
  • people to share and confirm warnings and information about the flood situation;
  • provide you (and them) with support and reassurance during a stressful situation. 

Additional resources

Get ready

Emergency Plan

Your Home Emergency Plan should include details about where you will walk to if there is a tsunami warning and you should let your family, friends and neighbours know this location. There is often little time to prepare your property when a tsunami warning with a land inundation threat is imminent. Create your emergency plan using the NSW SES Emergency Planning tool.

Emergency Kit

Having an emergency kit ready to go can help you save precious time if you need to leave in a hurry. Use the Emergency Kit Checklist to gather and tick off the items as you put your kit together.

When leaving or evacuating, place in your emergency kit:

Make sure your phone is fully charged and on hand so you can contact help in an emergency. Remember to use it sparingly during a severe weather in case of a prolonged blackout. 

Electricity, gas and water safety

Floods can damage utility networks and impact the supply of essential services like electricity, water, natural gas, sewage, and telecommunications to homes and businesses. Hazards may remain after flooding has receded, so it’s important to know your risks and take adequate precautions before, during, and after an emergency.    

Always follow instructions and directions from local authorities and be ready to evacuate if necessary.  

• If you have already lost power, turn off and unplug electrical equipment. If possible, remove and relocate portable appliances to a higher location if there is a risk of flooding.  
• Don't connect portable generators to the electrical wiring of your house or office unless a licensed electrician has installed a changeover switch. Always read the manufacturer's instructions very carefully before doing so.  
• Before evacuating, turn off the gas and electricity to your home. Do not touch any electrical equipment if you are standing in water or if your hands are wet.
• Stay away from powerlines, trees and watercourses. Always assume fallen powerlines are live and at least 8 metres or 2 car lengths away. Do not approach them or walk under them. Trees that have fallen across powerlines could also be electrified. Do not attempt to remove trees or branches.

Visit the Electricity, gas and water safety page for more information.

Sandbags

Using sandbags to protect your home or business can help reduce damage.  

If a tsunami warning has been issued, your local council and/or SES unit will announce where sandbagging stations may be set up in your area. Check your local information page for information.  

Visit the Using sandbags to protect your home page to learn more about how to make and use sandbags.

Evacuation

• Act on the first warning your receive and immediately follow all safety advice.
• Walk or ride if you are asked to evacuate and take your emergency kit with you.
• If you need to evacuate, the best option is to stay with friends and family in a safe location outside of the tsunami prone area. You can also go to an evacuation centre for shelter and assistance.  
• Visit the Evacuation centres page for more on how to find and what to expect at an evacuation centre. 
• Visit the Tsunami evacuation map for more information on evacuation during a tsunami.

Recovering from a tsunami

After an evacuation, NSW SES will advise when it is safe for residents and businesses to return to a tsunami affected area. Do not go back to your property if the emergency is still active. 

Additional support is available for you as you recover. Visit the Recovery page for more information about responding to and recovering from a tsunami.

Support resources

Hearing /speech impaired 

SMS NRS 0423 677 767

Homeless

If you are homeless call Link2Home on 1800 152 152.

Internet Relay

Make a National Relay Service chat call.

Translation services

If an interpreter is required, emergency services can access translation services.