Multiple Defenses to Minimize Tsunami Damage
Coastal Levee
As a primary preparation against tsunamis, the City constructed a coastal embankment jointly with the national government and the Miyagi Prefectural Government that runs about 8.5km from Fujitsuka District, Wakabayashi Ward to Gamo District, Miyagino Ward. The embankment has a height of T.P.+7.2 m, which can respond to frequently occurring tsunamis (every several decades/every hundred years or so) and also to high tide and tall waves. The coastline was developed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, coastal fishing ports were restored by the City, and works were completed in March 2017. The embankment is designed so that, in the event of a tsunami that exceeds expectations, the breakdown or collapse time of the embankment can be extended or the possibility of its total collapse can be reduced.
Inquiries
Agricultural and Forestry Planning Section,
Economic Affairs Bureau
kei008110@city.sendai.jp
Coastal Disaster Prevention Forest and Evacuation Hills
We are rebuilding coastal disaster prevention forests and improving Kaigan Park to restore the natural environment and landscape around the coastal areas, in addition to revitalizing the coastal areas to make them new and attractive spots for social interactions.
The development of Kaigan Park includes construction of various sections, with the Gamo development area as a “sports zone”, the Arahama development area as a “recreation zone”, the Ido development area as a “play zone”, and the Fujitsuka development area as a “nature zone”. A hill 10-15 m in height designed for temporary evacuation has been built in each of these zones, allowing for the evacuation of nearby residents and visitors up to the hills when a tsunami strikes.
Inquiries
Park Management Section,
Construction Bureau
ken010220@city.sendai.jp
Elevated Road
This elevated road, which also serves as an embankment, was completed in 2019 with a total length of 10.2km. Together with the coastal levees and coastal disaster prevention forests, it is regarded as an important element in the multiple defenses for greatly mitigating tsunami damage.
Inquiries
Road Planning Section,
Construction Bureau
ken010110@city.sendai.jp
Evacuation Facilities
In areas of projected tsunami inundation, 13 tsunami evacuation facilities, comprising six tower facilities, five building facilities that also act as fire brigade centers, and two tsunami evacuation staircases leading to the rooftops of existing elementary and junior high schools, have been constructed.
The tsunami evacuation tower at Nakano 5-chome is a robust structure built to withstand the wave force of tsunami and impacts by floating objects, and it can evacuate 300 people to a height of at least 6 meters above ground.
Easy-to-use structures and emergency supplies for evacuees
In light of the experience of the Great East Japan Earthquake, when evacuees suffered from hypothermia, indoor spaces have been built on the evacuation floor to provide protection against the cold, and slopes have been included in consideration of evacuation by wheelchair users, people with strollers, elderly persons and so on. Also, generators, blankets, water, food and basic toilets are provided to allow evacuees to stay around 24 hours.
evacuation stairs
at Okada Elementary
School
Cooperation with the private sector
Agreements have been signed to use private sector facilities as tsunami evacuation buildings in the event of disaster, while NEXCO East Japan has built stairs leading to Sendai Tobu Road, which acted as a barrier to the tsunami in the Great East Japan Earthquake, at five locations in Sendai City
Inquiries
Disaster Prevention Planning Section,
Crisis Management Department
kks000120@city.sendai.jp
Evacuation Roads
Construction of the three main roads in the evacuation route from the elevated road to the Sendai Tobu Road will be completed by the end of FY 2018, allowing people and cars to smoothly evacuate from a tsunami.
Other city roads will be improved to function as evacuation routes by installing evacuation guide signposts, partially widening roads at crossing points, and implementing other measures.
Inquiries
Road Planning Section,
Construction Bureau
ken010110@city.sendai.jp
Inland Relocation (Disaster Prevention Collective Relocation Promotion Project)
Inland Relocation (Disaster Prevention Collective Relocation Promotion Project)