After Japan’s 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake and tsunami, we analyzed how people moved using nationwide mobile phone network data. This data, updated hourly for 500-meter grids, allowed us to identify where and how people relocated during and after the disaster. We found that more than half of the population in coastal areas quickly evacuated to higher ground right after the earthquake. People responded more quickly in areas with strong shaking and tsunami warnings, while evacuation was slower in aging or isolated communities. Three months later, areas affected by tsunami flooding or exposed to high liquefaction risk still showed a 20–25% drop in activity, suggesting longer-term disruption. Our study shows how mobile data can help governments and communities identify areas that are more or less resilient and plan more effectively for future disasters.