DNR: New tsunami evacuation maps released for coastal communities

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington state Department of Natural Resources released new maps to show the fastest routes to safety for coastal communities in the event of an incoming tsunami.

The evacuation maps, made by the DNR's Washington Geological Survey, show pedestrian routes for Port Townsend, Ilwaco, Long Beach and Seaview, and Westport.

They also show the times it would take to evacuate the tsunami inundations zones caused by a Cascadia subduction zone earthquake, assuming a slow walking pace of 2.46 miles per hour.

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

These maps are modeled on a magnitude 9 Cascadia earthquake.

>>RELATED: New simulations show tsunami impacts on Washington communities

The walk times differ for communities based on the topography, the DNR said in a news release.

For example, people at Cape Disappointment can safely walk to higher ground in as little as 15 minutes, while the walk to safety from Long Beach can take as long as 75 minutes.

"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. That is why Department of Natural Resources' geologists are making this life-saving information easily accessible for everyone who lives, works or plays along Washington's coast," Ranz said.

For more information about impacts from earthquakes to Washington communities is available on DNR's Geologic Information Portal.

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