DNR Releases New Tsunami Safety Maps For Washington

OLYMPIA, WA — The Department of Natural Resources released new maps Thursday, showing the fastest routes to safety for five of the towns most at risk during a tsunami event. The maps route the quickest walking paths to high ground in Port Townsend, Ilwaco, Longbeach, Seaview and Westport.

"We've seen around the world how devastating tsunamis are for coastal communities," said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz.

"In the event of a tsunami, nothing is more important than knowing where to go to be safe and how long it will take to get there."

DNR says waves from a tsunami induced by a Cascadia subduction zone earthquake could reach towns like Westport within 15 minutes of the quake. The maps are color-coded to show the estimated total evacuation time, with some routes taking as little as 15 minutes on-foot and others taking as long as 75 minutes.

According to DNR, the geologic record shows the Cascadia subduction zone produces "megathrust" earthquakes every 300 to 600 years. They designed the maps based on the effects of a magnitude 9 earthquake. 319 years ago a quake of similar strength created a tsunami that affected the entire Pacific Northwest and carried waves as far as China. Although the maps are based on a worst-case scenario, DNR says they should prove helpful in the event of less powerful tremors, too.

You can find interactive evacuation maps for several communities on the DNR website.