---
title: "Tsunami alert levels: warning, advisory, watch, information statement"
license: CC-BY-4.0
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
source: https://www.weather.gov/safety/tsunami-alerts
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Source: NOAA National Weather Service, \"Tsunami Alerts\" (public domain (US government work))."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-11-02
date: 2026-11-02
status: reviewed
reviewed_on: 2026-11-02
category: science
checked_on: 2026-11-02
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
source: https://www.weather.gov/safety/tsunami-alerts
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted), condensed and paraphrased; sources: NOAA National Weather Service, \"Tsunami Alerts\" (public domain, US government work); NOAA/NWS U.S. Tsunami Warning System (tsunami.gov), \"Tsunami FAQ\" (public domain, US government work)"
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-11-02
date: 2026-11-02
category: science
tags: science, tsunami, noaa, safety
checked_on: 2026-11-02
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "Tsunami Alerts"
    publisher: "NOAA National Weather Service"
    url: https://www.weather.gov/safety/tsunami-alerts
    accessed: 2026-11-02
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
    attribution: "NOAA National Weather Service, \"Tsunami Alerts\" (public domain, US government work)"
  - id: S2
    title: "Tsunami FAQ"
    publisher: "NOAA/NWS U.S. Tsunami Warning System (tsunami.gov)"
    url: https://www.tsunami.gov/?page=tsunamiFAQ
    accessed: 2026-11-02
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
    attribution: "NOAA/NWS U.S. Tsunami Warning System (tsunami.gov), \"Tsunami FAQ\" (public domain, US government work)"
---
# Tsunami alert levels: warning, advisory, watch, information statement

# Tsunami alert levels: warning, advisory, watch, information statement

## Summary
The US tsunami warning centers use four alert levels. A **warning** means widespread flooding is expected, so evacuate to high ground or inland. An **advisory** means strong currents or dangerous waves, so stay out of the water. A **watch** means a tsunami is possible, so be ready to act. An **information statement** means no threat or none determined yet. A strong quake felt at the coast is a natural warning to move right away.

*Draft. License: CC BY 4.0 (this summary). Sources: [S1] NOAA National Weather Service, "Tsunami Alerts" (public domain (US government work)); [S2] NOAA/NWS U.S. Tsunami Warning System (tsunami.gov), "Tsunami FAQ" (public domain (US government work)).*

## Facts
- id: F1
  claim: NOAA tsunami messages for US and Canadian coasts use four alert levels: warning, advisory, watch and information statement.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F2
  claim: A Tsunami Warning means a tsunami that may cause widespread flooding is expected or occurring; evacuation to high ground or inland is recommended, and flooding and strong currents may continue for hours or days.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F3
  claim: A Tsunami Advisory means strong currents or waves dangerous to people in or very near the water are expected or occurring; beach and harbor areas may flood, and people should stay out of the water and away from beaches.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F4
  claim: A Tsunami Watch means a distant earthquake has occurred and a tsunami is possible; people should stay informed and be ready to act.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F5
  claim: A Tsunami Information Statement means an earthquake occurred but there is no threat, or it was far away and the threat is not yet determined.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F6
  claim: Warnings, advisories and watches can be updated or cancelled, and lower levels can be upgraded if the threat turns out to be greater.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F7
  claim: Alerts are spread through local radio and TV, marine radio, Wireless Emergency Alerts, NOAA Weather Radio, NOAA websites such as tsunami.gov, sirens, and local officials.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F8
  claim: Natural warning signs are a strong or long earthquake felt at the coast, a sudden rise or fall of the ocean, or a loud roar from the ocean; NOAA says to move to safety without waiting for an official alert.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F9
  claim: A tsunami is a series of very long waves caused by a large, sudden displacement of the ocean; it is not related to tides, so calling it a 'tidal wave' is incorrect.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S2]
  license: CC BY 4.0
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F10
  claim: Scientists cannot predict when and where the next tsunami will strike, just as they cannot predict the earthquakes that cause most tsunamis.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S2]
  license: CC BY 4.0
  checked_on: 2026-11-02

## Caveats
- Outside the US and Canada, national agencies use their own alert names; follow local officials.
- The first wave is often not the largest; do not return until officials say it is safe (general guidance; check the source).

## Pointers
- id: P1
  answers: Current active alerts
  where: https://www.tsunami.gov/
  access: free, public web page