Tsunami awareness, preparedness, and evacuation behaviors during the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Tsunami

• Tsunami awareness and preparedness were low, yet 87 % evacuated, with 84 % before the first tsunami's arrivalTsunami awareness and preparedness were low, yet 87% evacuated, with 84% before the first tsunami's arrival.. • 63 % of evacuees used cars, 52 % faced traffic congestion, and only 33 % evacuated to designated sites.63% of evacuees used cars, 52% faced traffic congestion, and only 33% evacuated to designated sites. • Immediate risk perception influenced evacuation more than preparedness, underscoring real-time tsunami warnings. • Family evacuation plans reduced car use, emphasizing the importance of prior evacuation coordination.Family evacuation plans reduced car use, emphasizing the importance of prior evacuation coordination. • Findings offer insights into disaster psychology and risk communication, stressing the need for better warnings and planning. The 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake generated tsunamis reaching several meters in height and led to tsunami and major tsunami warnings in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. In this study, face-to-face interviews were conducted approximately six months after the earthquake with residents of Nanao, a coastal city in Ishikawa Prefecture, yielding 232 valid responses. The results indicated that 87 % of the respondents evacuated, with 84 % initiating evacuation before the first tsunami reached Nanao. Among those who evacuated, 63 % used cars, and 52 % reported traffic congestion during evacuation. While there was little significant correlation between pre-disaster tsunami awareness or preparedness and evacuation behavior, the decision to evacuate was strongly influenced by immediate factors such as individuals’ locations during the earthquake and their perceptions of risk levels at the time. Furthermore, establishing an evacuation plan with family members beforehand was shown to contribute to residents deciding not to use a car unnecessarily.