Advances in tsunami simulations and recommendations for the tsunami evacuation planning of local governments in Taiwan

Safe evacuation of all potentially affected persons prior to the arrival of devastating tsunami waves is the primary goal of disaster prevention. Local governments need clear interpretation of tsunami-prone areas and guidance to develop tsunami evacuation plans. Therefore, we utilize extensive tsunami simulations to produce tsunami inundation maps and study the effect of tsunamis on coastal cities and counties in Taiwan. We then proposed guidelines for formulating tsunami evacuation plans to local governments, including safety and functional criteria, recommendations on designation of appropriate evacuation routes, shelters, evacuation buildings, and high ground. An example in Yilan County demonstrates the application of these guidelines to establish tsunami evacuation plans.