Video: Japanese Tsunami in real time--ride the wave!

The rule of thumb for surviving a tsunami is to run for high ground immediately after the shaking from the earthquake stops.  If you try to drive out of the tsunami inundation area you could be easly blocked by heavy traffic from reaching your destination.

 

Vertical evacuation is another good option if you have substantial and high enough buildings in the area. 

 

Watching this four minute tsunami video of someone who is trying to escape in a car as the tsunami reaches them is scary to watch.  I'm assuming the occupant(s) survived.