Earthquake & Tsunami

Tsunamis do reach Okinawa. From the historical 1771 Great Meiwa Tsunami, to checking your home's elevation and flood risk, securing furniture, the difference between evacuation sites and shelters, and what to know if you live in an apartment — earthquake and tsunami preparedness that residents often underestimate.

• Tsunamis Do Reach Okinawa — The Great Meiwa Tsunami, and What to Check Today

  The feeling that "Okinawa doesn't get earthquakes" is contradicted by history. This article covers the facts of the 1771 Great Meiwa Tsunami, how to check your home and workplace's elevation and flood risk today, and the principles for what to do when the ground shakes.

• When the Earthquake Early Warning Sounds — What to Do in the Next Few Seconds

  Even when that alert tone sounds, you have only a few seconds to a few tens of seconds. This article covers what an Earthquake Early Warning is, what to do when it sounds, and — following JMA's own explanation — its real limits, including that it sometimes won't arrive in time.

• Securing Your Furniture — The Single Most Reliable Way Not to Die in the Shaking

  30 to 50% of earthquake injuries are caused by furniture tipping over, falling, or sliding. Drawing on official sources, this article covers the most effective way to secure furniture, alternatives for rentals where you can't put holes in the wall, and the conditions under which a tension pole won't work.

• Evacuation Sites and Shelters Are Different — Using Tsunami Evacuation Buildings Correctly

  "Evacuation sites" and "evacuation shelters" are legally two entirely different things. Not knowing the difference can send you to the wrong place. This article also covers what a tsunami evacuation building is for, and when not to use one.

• Preparing in an Apartment Building — the Higher the Floor, the Worse the Shaking

  On higher floors, furniture doesn't just tip over — it slides across the room. Elevators stop working, and good soundproofing turns into a problem when you can't call for help. This article covers what's different to prepare for in Okinawa's common apartment-style housing, compared to a detached house.