Tsunamis are one of the most unpredictable natural disasters. Though rare, they can cause chaos and devastation. As such, November 5 is World Tsunami Awareness Day, with the goal of promoting a global culture of tsunami awareness. 

The Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense helps to spread the message to be tsunami-ready. Spokesperson Jenna Blas told KUAM News, "We’re following a nationwide initiative. It's being put on by the United Nations office for Disaster Risk Reduction and we have partnerships in place with our federal partners to make sure that we’re promoting National Hazards Preparedness, Human Caused Threat Preparedness, all hazards and all threats preparedness and tsunami’s are definitely one of them that we focus on."

"We want to remind the community that it’s important to make sure that you’re prepared for any type of disaster, tsunami’s included."

The National Weather Service also has a hand in the tsunami preparedness initiative. Warning coordination meteorologist Landon Adylett shared some tips, saying, "So for people, what they need to do for Tsunami Awareness Day is talk to your friends and families. Do you have a plan in place? If you’re at Tumon beach on a sunny afternoon and you have word of a tsunami threat, what is your action? Where are you going to go? Who are you going to be in contact with? How are you going to find out where your friends and family are located?

"So have those plans in place, talk about these now."

He added, "Know your plans, your preparedness activities. Have those practiced and rehearsed before the event so that when the event happens you don’t have to wonder."

And, make sure to know your closest tsunami evacuation route.