 Local tsunami:

A local tsunami is one that originates from within about 100 km or less than 1 hour tsunami
travel time from the impacted coastline. Local tsunamis can result in a significant number of
casualties since authorities have little time to warn/evacuate the population. 

 Regional tsunami:

A regional tsunami is one that is capable of destruction in a particular geographical region,

generally within 1,000 km from its source. Regional tsunamis can arrive to affected
coastlines within 1-3 hours of being generated, however, as with local tsunamis, due to the
limited warning time they can still prove very destructive and deadly.

 Tele-tsunami/Ocean-wide tsunami/Distant tsunami:

A tsunami originating from a source, generally more than 1,000 km or more than 3 hours
tsunami travel time from the impacted coastline is called an ocean-wide or distant or tele-
tsunami.  These tsunamis are less frequent, but more hazardous than regional tsunamis, as
they usually start as a local tsunami that causes extensive destruction to a shoreline near
the source, and the waves continue to travel across an entire ocean basin with sufficient
energy to cause additional casualties and destruction on shores more than a 1,000 km from
the source. These tsunamis have the ability to cause widespread destruction, not only in the
immediate region but across an entire ocean.  All ocean-wide tsunamis have been
generated by major earthquakes.

Find a radio. Your radio can be your best friend, and possibly your only connection to
the rest of the world, when a disaster strikes. In the case of a tsunami, weather and
emergency reports should be able to guide you further to safety, at the most, and
provide a bit of comfort, at the very least.

Get to higher ground. Move inland as quickly as you can, and seek out shelter in high-
terrain areas that are bound to get less flooding than the lower-lying areas. Of course,
whatever you do, do not go to the beach to watch a tsunami in action, even if you seem
to be at a safe enough distance. Tsunamis move at rapid speed, and can overtake you
before you even know what happened. A good rule of thumb is this: if there is water, go
in the opposite direction, and immediately.
Follow directions. If you happen to be in a public venue when a tsunami hits, then your
best bet is to listen to the personnel directives as they are being given, then do your
best to follow the safety instructions that are given to you.

Move from smaller to larger. If you are in a private house, then it is likely that the
structure is low-lying and not reinforced for the impact of a tsunami. Leave houses and
smaller buildings immediately, and find the nearest high-rise, concrete hotel to take
shelter in. Once in the hotel, find your way to the top floor and stay there until conditions
improve.

There are some very simple things you can do while on vacation to protect yourself in
the case of a tsunami. Keep these things in mind – but only in the back of your mind –
so that you can spend your vacation doing what you should be doing: relaxing and
enjoying your time.

During a tsunami
 Do not go near the shore to watch a tsunami hit. If you can see it, you are too
close to escape.
 Should a tsunami occur and you cannot get to higher ground, stay inside where
you are protected from the water. It's best to be on the landward side of the
house, away from windows.
 Often tsunamis occur in multiple waves that can occur minutes apart, but also as
much as one hour apart.
 Monitor the tsunami's progress and listen for warnings or instructions from local
officials. If you are safe when the first tsunami hits, stay put until authorities
declare all is safe.
 After a tsunami hits, you may encounter flood waters. Flood waters can be
dangerous to walk or drive through. Before driving anywhere, it is best to listen
carefully to rescue officials who will be coordinating evacuation plans.
 Be aware of risks such as hypothermia from cold water or drowning from running
water. Your local chapter of St. John Ambulance or Red Cross can provide more
information on how to prevent these problems.