You wake up, scroll your phone, and see "Tsunami" trending. It's enough to make anyone's heart skip a beat, especially if you live anywhere near the Puget Sound or the outer coast. Honestly, the word alone carries a lot of weight in the Pacific Northwest.
But here’s the bottom line right now: There is no active tsunami warning for Washington state today, January 15, 2026.
While the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) did track a magnitude 5.6 earthquake near the Aleutian Islands in Alaska earlier this morning, they’ve already confirmed there is zero threat to the West Coast. It's basically a "business as usual" day for our beaches. However, there is a tiny bit of "noise" in the news today because of a routine communications test happening between the NWS and local emergency agencies. If you heard a stray siren or saw a test alert on your TV, that’s likely why.
The Difference Between a Warning and a "Statement"
The biggest mistake people make is panicking the second they see an official-looking notification. Not all alerts are created equal. Basically, the NTWC uses four specific labels, and knowing which is which can save you a lot of unnecessary stress (or literally save your life).
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- Tsunami Information Statement: This is what we have today. An earthquake happened somewhere, but the scientists have crunched the numbers and determined there is no danger of a wave hitting us. No action needed.
- Tsunami Watch: This is the "get your shoes on" phase. It means a distant quake happened and a tsunami might be coming. They haven't confirmed it yet, so you stay tuned.
- Tsunami Advisory: This is more serious. It means strong currents and dangerous waves are expected. You shouldn't be on the beach or in a boat, but they aren't expecting massive, inland-destroying flooding.
- Tsunami Warning: This is the big one. If you're in an inundation zone, you leave. Now.
Why Washington Residents Are Always a Little On Edge
We live in a beautiful place, but geologically speaking, it's a bit of a mess. Most of us are waiting for "The Big One"—the Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. Unlike a quake in Alaska that gives us several hours of warning, a local Cascadia quake would give the coast maybe 15 to 20 minutes before the water arrives.
That’s a terrifyingly short window.
Interestingly, there’s been some talk recently among experts like Harold Tobin, the Washington State Seismologist, about the "lonely seismometers." Some monitoring stations in the Aleutian Islands have been facing funding issues lately. This matters to us because those stations are our "early warning" for tsunamis coming from the north. If they go dark, we lose precious minutes of data.
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The "Natural" Warning Signs You Can't Ignore
High-tech sirens are great. The All-Hazard Alert Broadcast (AHAB) sirens we have scattered along the Washington coast are literal lifesavers. But they aren't perfect. They can fail. Wind can carry the sound away.
Nature usually gives you the first clue.
If you’re at the beach and you feel the ground shake for more than 20 seconds—enough that it's hard to stand—don't wait for your phone to buzz. Just go. Another weird sign? The "disappearing" ocean. If the tide suddenly rushes out and exposes the seafloor in a way you've never seen, that's the water being pulled into the approaching wave. It’s not a time for photos; it’s a time for high ground.
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What Should You Actually Do Today?
Since there’s no immediate danger today, it’s actually the best time to do the boring stuff that matters.
- Check your zone. Most people in Washington think they know if they are in a flood zone, but the DNR has updated maps for places like Port Angeles, Bellingham, and even Seattle’s waterfront. Go look at the interactive tsunami evacuation map.
- The 2-Weeks Ready Goal. Emergency officials in Washington have moved away from the "3-day kit" idea. If a major event hits, help isn't coming in 72 hours. You need enough water and food for 14 days.
- Identify your "High Ground." In flat areas like Long Beach, this is harder. Look for the vertical evacuation towers—like the one at Ocosta Elementary. Knowing exactly where that tower is before the ground starts shaking is the difference between making it and getting stuck in traffic.
Today is a quiet day on the coast. Let’s keep it that way by being prepared for the day that isn't so quiet.
Next Steps for Safety:
Check your mobile phone's "Emergency Alert" settings to ensure "Public Safety Alerts" are toggled ON. Then, take five minutes to identify the highest point of elevation within a 1-mile radius of your home or office using a basic topographic map or GPS app. Don't rely on driving; assume roads will be buckled and plan a walking route that avoids bridges if possible.