CONTEXT:
- Around the world there is increasing recognition that avoiding development in the most frequently tsunami (or river flood or storm surge) inundated areas is one of the most effective means of managing future losses to natural hazards. Therefore, the planning for new developments should include consideration of already-existing national or regional regulations and guidelines
- Many countries have some form of formal legislation, regulation or guidance for tsunami risk mitigation. These may broadly cover such aspects as:
- Land-use planning, controlling the location of development for all or some types of building or project
- Warning, through natural signs (earthquake, ocean disturbance), local initiatives and/or Tsunami Warning Centres
- Response planning, usually focussed on life safety, evacuation routes, signage and safe locations
- Public alerting mechanisms such as mobile phone apps, sirens, radio etc.
- Hard defence options
- Vertical evacuation options
- Risk assessment
MITIGATION:
- Note that avoidance of a natural hazard such as tsunami is the most effective form of risk mitigation, but this should be a decision made based on the informed understanding of social, economic and political risk.
- Comply with laws and regulations including land-use planning and flood management. Design the project to best integrate the regulations.
- Comply with all Health and Safety obligations appropriate to the hazard level.
- If the location of the project conflicts with land-use planning regulations, or cannot comply with warning and evacuation regulations consider relocation of the project.
Links:
International Tsunami Information Centre http://itic.ioc-unesco.org/index.php
Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre: http://ptwc.weather.gov/
Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/IOTWMS), more information at: http://www.ioc-tsunami.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=58&lang=en
North-Eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean and connected seas: Tsunami Information Centre. http://neamtic.ioc-unesco.org/
Examples:
NZ tsunami warning plan –
http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/cdem-sector/cdem-framework/guidelines/national-tsunami-advisory-and-warning-plan/
NZ tsunami evacuation mapping guideline –
< http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/publications/dgl-08-08-tsunami-evacuation-zones.pdf>
NZ public notification options assessments - http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/cdem-sector/cdem-framework/guidelines/public-alerting-options-assessment/
Integrating tsunami inundation modelling into land use planning
http://www.eqc.govt.nz/sites/public_files/1604-tsunami-inundation-modelling-into-land-use-planning_0.pdf