City Recognizes Tsunami Preparedness Week 2026: Know the Risk. Know the Route.

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PRESS RELEASE

Above: Attendees learned how to evacuate to higher ground when inside a tsunami hazard zone by participating in a Tsunami Walk at the 2025 Tsunami Preparedness Fair.

Long Beach, CA - In recognition of Tsunami Preparedness Week, March 21-29, the City of Long Beach Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications is encouraging residents to identify their tsunami hazard zones and develop evacuation plans for their families, home and workplaces. To support these efforts, the City will host a Tsunami Preparedness Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 4 at Bixby Park (Ocean Boulevard and Junipero Avenue). As part of this year's theme, Know the Risk. Know the Route, residents will learn how to recognize tsunami warning signs, reduce risk of injury during an emergency and practice evacuating from a hazard zone to safety.

"Living along the coast is one of the things that makes Long Beach special, but it also means we need to be prepared for coastal hazards like tsunamis," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "Tsunami Preparedness Week is an opportunity for our community to learn where to go, how to respond, and how to protect their families if a tsunami warning is issued. Being prepared today helps keep our community safe tomorrow."

The Tsunami Preparedness Fair will feature expert speakers and resource booths from various City departments and regional emergency management agencies offering educational materials and preparedness tips. As part of the event, attendees can also participate in a Tsunami Walk at 10:30 a.m., an educational simulation designed to encourage residents to take action by evacuating to higher ground when inside a tsunami hazard zone. The walk will follow a route around Bixby Park, just outside of the tsunami hazard zone, where Disaster Preparedness staff will share additional information and safety guidance. This optional activity is open to the entire community. For access or functional needs accommodations, please email Luis Valdez, Disaster Preparedness Officer, at [email protected].

"Preparedness starts with awareness. By learning the warning signs of a tsunami and knowing your evacuation route, residents can take immediate action that could save lives. Our goal is to make sure everyone who lives, works or plays along our coastline understands how to move out of the hazard zone quickly and head to higher ground," said Reginald Harrison, Director of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications.

During Tsunami Preparedness Week, residents living in the inundation/flood zone who are signed up for Alert Long Beach will receive a tsunami test notification. Residents are encouraged to take the following actions to better prepare themselves for a potential tsunami:

• Stay Alert. Sign up for Alert Long Beach to receive emergency notifications from the City of Long Beach via phone, email, or text.
• Know Your Zone. Find out if you live or work in the tsunami hazard zone and plan an evacuation route by visiting the CalOES My Hazards webpage.
• Make a Plan. Develop a family emergency plan to help you think ahead about the 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.
• 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 all family members 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 daily. Residents are also encouraged to join the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) or take classes through the American Red Cross (ARC) 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.

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