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Cádiz is aiming to become Spain's first 'tsunami ready' provincial capital
The city is collaborating with national and local entities to enhance coastal resilience against potential tsunamis
Cádiz is taking significant steps to become the first provincial capital in Spain recognised as 'Tsunami Ready' by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO.This initiative is part of the 'CoastWAVE' programme, funded by the European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO).
In this second edition of CoastWAVE, Cádiz is serving as the pilot municipality in Spain, with the primary aim of strengthening the resilience of coastal communities in the Northeast Atlantic, Mediterranean and adjacent seas against tsunamis and related sea-level hazards.
Along with the Canary Islands and other parts of Andalucía, Cádiz is thought to be uniquely susceptible to the risk of a tsunami hitting at some point in the future, especially given the recent finding that Spain is one of the countries hardest hit by the climate crisis and among the most likely to be affected by extreme weather events.
Recently, a technical meeting was held at the Institute for Employment and Economic Development of Cádiz (IFEF), bringing together representatives and technical staff from national, regional, provincial and local institutions, including the University of Cádiz (UCA), various entities, and social agents. All are committed to preparing Cádiz's coastline for potential tsunami threats.
The workshop was divided into two segments. The first focused on presenting the CoastWAVE project and the Tsunami Ready recognition process. The second segment involved discussions among participants to assess the current state of tsunami preparedness in Cádiz and to identify necessary actions to achieve Tsunami Ready status.
Cádiz has already taken part in tsunami readiness emergency drills in the past, but achieving this recognition requires meeting specific indicators, such as developing hazard and inundation maps, establishing public awareness and education programmes, and implementing effective communication and evacuation strategies. The collaborative efforts of all involved parties aim to ensure that Cádiz is well-prepared to respond to potential tsunami events, thereby safeguarding its residents and visitors.
The city's Deputy Mayor for Citizen Security, Local Police and Civil Protection, Juancho Ortiz, has emphasised that "this initiative from which our city benefits is one more effort that we are making to be prepared for a possible adversity".
This proactive approach underscores Cádiz's commitment to enhancing public safety and resilience in the face of natural disasters. By working together, the city aims to set a precedent for other coastal communities in Spain and beyond.
