PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA — In recognition of Tsunami Preparedness Week, March 22-30, the City of Long Beach Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications is encouraging residents to get informed and develop and practice evacuation plans for their families, home and workplace. In support of these efforts, the City is hosting a Tsunami Preparedness Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 29 at Will Rogers Mini Park (Appian Way and Nieto Avenue). During the event, residents will learn more about the signs of a tsunami, how to mitigate injury, and practice evacuating from a tsunami hazard zone to safety.

“We are fortunate to live on the Pacific Rim with miles of beautiful beaches and oceanfront views; however, with that comes the threat of tsunamis,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “Tsunami Preparedness Week and the Tsunami Preparedness Fair will provide opportunities for residents to learn more and practice their plans to stay safe during a tsunami by moving to higher ground.”

The Tsunami Preparedness Fair will feature expert speakers and resource booths from various City departments and regional emergency management agencies that will provide educational materials and tips on howto be prepared for a tsunami at home, work or school. As part of the event, interested participants can join a Tsunami Walk, which will serve as an educational simulation of a tsunami evacuation and encourage residents to take action when inside a tsunami hazard zone. The walk will begin at 10:30 a.m., departing from Will Rogers Mini Park and arriving at the Red Car Greenbelt (4th Street & Park Avenue), just outside of the tsunami hazard zone. Along the route, Disaster Preparedness staff will provide resources and preparedness tips. This optional activity is available to the entire community. For any access or functional needs accommodations, please email Luis Valdez, Disaster Preparedness Officer, at Luis.Valdez@longbeach.gov.

“Tsunamis are a rare but real threat to our community. Unlike earthquakes, however, tsunamis provide natural warnings before they arrive. If you are near the beach when this occurs, you should move to higher ground as quickly as possible,” said Reginald Harrison, Director of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications. “The Tsunami Preparedness Fair is a great opportunity for the public to engage with local experts to learn those warning signs and practice moving to safety.”

In addition to attending the Tsunami Preparedness Fair, residents are encouraged to take the following actions to better prepare themselves for a potential tsunami:

• Know Your Zone.  Find out if you live or work in the tsunami hazard zone and plan an evacuation route by visiting the My Hazards webpage. 
• Make a Plan.  Develop a family emergency plan to help you think ahead about what steps you can take to keep your household safe during an emergency (English, Spanish).
• Learn the Signs. Tsunamis often have warning signs such as an earthquake, a loud roar from the ocean, or unusual oceanic behavior, such as a sudden rise or a sudden draining of water showing the ocean floor.
• Be Ready to Evacuate. After receiving a tsunami warning from public officials or seeing the signs of a tsunami, get off the beach, out of the hazard zone, and move to higher ground.
• Stay Alert. Sign up for Alert Long Beach to receive emergency notifications from the City of Long Beach via phone, email, or text.
• Get Connected.  Follow @lbdisasterprep on social media for Tsunami Awareness Week information and year-round preparedness tips.
• Prepare a Go-Bag. Pack a go-bag that’s ready to evacuate if the need arises with essential items necessary for each family member and pets to be safe, comfortable, and self-sustaining for up to five days.

To learn more about tsunami warning signs, preparedness tips, and evacuation routes, download the Tsunami Preparedness Guide in English or Spanish. Additionally, to learn more about participating in Tsunami Preparedness Week, visit the Statewide California Earthquake Center’s TsunamiZone.org.

Residents are encouraged to be prepared and self-sufficient for up to five days following a disaster by creating an emergency supply kit filled with items that are used on a daily basis.  Residents are also encouraged to join the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) or take classes through the American Red Cross to learn basic emergency medical procedures.

To learn more about disaster preparedness topics, as well as a complete list of resources, residents can visit the Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications website or follow @LBDisasterPrep on Facebook and Instagram.

About the City of Long Beach 
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. For more about Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications, visit longbeach.gov/disasterpreparedness.