Authorities are urging residents to evacuate to higher ground and stay away from low-lying and coastal areas. New Zealand’s emergency management agency has issued a clear warning: “People in or near the sea in the following areas should move out of the water, off beaches and shorelines, and avoid harbours, marinas, rivers, and estuaries.”

Boaters, including those docked in marinas, have been instructed to come ashore immediately.

Officials are also discouraging the public from heading to the coast to film videos or observe potential tsunami waves, warning that it puts lives at risk.

For safety, individuals should move at least one mile inland and reach elevations of 100 feet or more above sea level.

According to the National Weather Service, signs of an approaching tsunami include a loud roaring sound from the ocean and a sudden rise or drop in sea level. A rapid retreat of water from the shore is another strong indicator that a tsunami may be imminent.