Do you know what to do if a tsunami hits B.C.? Recent earthquakes underscore importance of preparedness, province says

The recent earthquakes felt across parts of the Lower Mainland highlight the importance of tsunami preparedness, says the province.

Tsunami Preparedness Week is underway in B.C., with officials saying widely felt earthquakes in densely populated areas earlier this year should serve as an important reminder of how crucial it is to have an emergency plan.

In February, a magnitude 4.7 quake hit, rattling the Vancouver area and other parts of the South Coast. Less than two weeks later, residents in Vancouver and Victoria reported being shaken awake by another earthquake.

Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene issued a statement Sunday, noting that thousands of quakes occur each year in the province – most of which go unnoticed.

“In recent months, earthquakes were strong enough to be felt by thousands of people along the coast,” the statement said.

“Fortunately, those recent earthquakes didn’t present a tsunami risk. They were, however, a reminder of the incredible power earthquakes can possess and the importance of being prepared.”

British Columbians are urged to create emergency plans, to make sure they have grab-and-go bags ready, and to familiarize themselves with evacuation routes.

In the event that an earthquake creates a tsunami risk, emergency alerts will be sent to cellphones, and broadcast on radio and television. The provincial government will issue different types of alerts, depending on the severity of the situation:

• An information statement is issued when there is no threat or when a very distant event occurs that is good to be aware of;
• A watch is issued when a distant tsunami is possible. People should stay tuned for information and be prepared to act;
• An advisory is issued when strong currents and waves may occur that could be dangerous to people close to the water. People should stay out of the water and away from beaches and waterways;
• A warning is issued when dangerous coastal flooding and strong currents are possible. People will be instructed to move to high ground or inland.

During Tsunami Preparedness Week – which runs April 13 to April 19 – coastal communities at risk host High Ground Hikes to help locals get informed and prepared.

The last time a tsunami hit B.C. shores, the province says, was in 1964 following the 9.2-magnitude Great Alaska Earthquake.

More information on tsunamis and emergency preparedness is available online.