Tsunami Signs Policy

OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION

Local agencies in California may begin installing Tsunami Signs in tsunami inundation areas as defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA). Before installing signs local agencies should contact the following person at Caltrans for additional information about Federal Highway Administration requirements:

Wayne Henley Signs, Markings & External Support, Office Chief (916) 654-6246 wayne.henley@dot.ca.gov

FHWA Approval Letter to Experiment and Conditions

Experimental Sign Locations

California Seismic Safety Commission (further Tsunami information)

Caltrans Slideshow (3.38 MB PowerPoint file)

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has developed signs for use in tsunami inundation areas. Caltrans asks local agencies to collect data and submit an interim report every six months and the a final report after two years of the initial sign installation. Data collected should indicate whether the signs are understandable to the public and motorists.

There are four (4) sign specifications as follows:

1) TSUNAMI EVACUATION ROUTE {EM-1A (CA)} – for use with Federal (MUTCD) auxiliary M5-1 Advance Turn Arrow & auxiliary M6-Series Directional Arrow

2) TSUNAMI HAZARD ZONE / IN CASE OF EARTHQUAKE GO TO HIGH GROUND OR INLAND {EM-1B (CA)}

3) ENTERING TSUNAMI HAZARD ZONE {EM-1C (CA)} – Alternate message LEAVING TSUNAMI HAZARD ZONE

     

4) EVACUATION SITE {EM-1D (CA)}

5) TSUNAMI HAZARD ZONE {EM-1E (CA)}

The specification and policy for each tsunami sign is shown below:

Tsunami Sign Specification Sheets

Tsunami Sign Policy

Experimental Sign Locations:

Dana Point
Half Moon Bay
Huntington Beach (Runup Area)
Huntington Beach (Evacuation Area)
Imperial Beach
Montera/Moss Beach/El Granada
Newport Beach
San Clemente
San Gregorio
Seal Beach