Trek Guide

Tsunami warning vs advisory vs watch, and when to run

A tsunami warning means flooding, an advisory means dangerous water, a watch means maybe later. How the US, Japan and Indonesia differ, and what to…

By Anjali Shrestha · Oct 4, 2026

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In the United States a tsunami warning means widespread coastal flooding is expected, so move to high ground or inland now. A tsunami advisory means strong currents and waves are dangerous to anyone in or near the water, so get out and stay off the beach. A…

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Tsunami warning vs advisory vs watch in the US

Warning means flooding, advisory means dangerous water, watch means maybe later. The National Tsunami Warning Center defines a tsunami warning as a tsunami "with the potential to generate widespread inundation" that is imminent, expected or occurring, with…

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How Japan and Indonesia name their tsunami alerts

Both countries put evacuation at their middle level, and both grade alerts by the expected height of the waves. The Japan Meteorological Agency issues a Major Tsunami Warning when the tsunami is expected to exceed 3 metres, a Tsunami Warning for up to 3…

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The natural warning signs that beat every alert

If the ground shakes hard or long, or the sea behaves strangely, go to high ground without waiting for an official warning. The Weather Service lists three signs: a strong or long earthquake; the ocean acting strangely, such as a fast-rising flood, a wall of…

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What to do on a beach, in a hotel or on a cruise

Know your way to high ground before you need it, and follow local officials, not social media. On the beach: under a US advisory or a Japanese advisory, leave the water and the shore. Under any warning, or Indonesian siaga or awas, go uphill or inland on…

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Our verdict

Learn the ladder for the country you are in, and treat the shaking as the alert. In the US the advisory is the "get out of the water" level and the warning is the "get to high ground" level. In Japan and Indonesia, everything from the middle level up means…

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Frequently asked questions

In the US, a warning. It means widespread coastal flooding is expected and you should move to high ground or inland. An advisory means dangerous currents and waves near the water, but not widespread flooding. Stay tuned to official updates and be ready to…

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Keep reading

The US surf alert, and how to escape a rip current. The alert ladder, and your refund rights if flights stop. The snow and ice alerts, and when to cancel the drive. Staying well abroad, from jet lag to vaccines. Sources: NOAA National Tsunami Warning Center…

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