B.C. tsunami advisory lifted after underwater volcano erupts in Tonga
A tsunami advisory, that had been issued for parts of the B.C. coast after an underwater volcano near Tonga in the South Pacific islands erupted on Saturday, has been lifted.
The advisory had covered the north coast including Haida Gwaii, and the central and northeast Vancouver Island coasts, as well as the lower west and southwest coast of Vancouver Island, including Victoria.
According to the advisory, waves were expected to hit Langara Island, a Haida Gwaii island, at 8:30 a.m. local time, followed by Tofino at approximately 8:50 a.m.
Residents of Port Alberni, located at the end of a long, narrow inlet off the west coast of Vancouver Island, were also under an advisory.
“The tsunami advisory is expected to stay in place for many hours. Inundation from a tsunami is not expected…please avoid beaches and marinas,” read a Facebook post by the Port Alberni Fire Department.
In a statement, B.C. Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth said that several communities had activated emergency plans in response to the advisory, which he said is proof that the province’s early tsunami advisory systems are working.
"To be clear, this is an advisory only, and not a tsunami warning. The risk is limited to increased tidal currents. Until the advisory is lifted, stay away from beaches, shorelines and marinas, and follow the directions of local governments,” Farnworth’s statement reads.
"Emergency Management BC immediately activated the Provincial Emergency Co-ordination Centre, and all provincial regional operations centres on the coast. The agency has also been supporting local governments and First Nations with updates and a series of co-ordination calls.”
Residents in the at-risk, coastal areas were asked to stay away from the shoreline and follow all instructions from local authorities.
Those who were already on the shoreline were urged to get out of the water, off the beach, and to stay away from harbours, marinas, bays and inlets.
Residents were asked not to return to the coast until local emergency officials say it is safe to do so. Residents were also told not go to the shoreline to watch the tsunami waves.
In Tofino, a town known for its long, sweeping beaches, the local district authority temporarily closed all beaches.
“Due to increased risk from changing tides, maximum wave amplitudes and increased response time of coast guard support, all beaches should be avoided until further notice,” reads a post to the District of Tofino’s Facebook page.
Local officials say it was a valuable learning experience, in case “the big one” ever hits.
“For us it’s a great dry-run,” Ucluelet Mayor Mayco Noel told CTV News.
“We like it when we’re able to test our systems out which we’ve done … This kind of stuff is important to us as west coasters to ensure that we’re prepared and that we’re being notified.”
The advisories came after the underwater Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano violently erupted on Saturday, sending a cloud of ash and steam into the air near Tonga.
The Tonga Meteorological Services said data from the Pacific tsunami center detected waves up to 80 centimetres (2.7 feet) following the eruption.
The eruption also prompted tsunami advisories for New Zealand's North Island and the west coast of the United States from California to Alaska.
With files from The Associated Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
LIVE UPDATES Critical infrastructure 'successfully protected': Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials in an update said all critical infrastructure in the townsite has been "successfully protected, including the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant."
BREAKING Canadian Olympic Committee removes women soccer team's head coach following drone incident
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman, according to a press release from the organization.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have burned in a wildfire.
OPINION Prince Harry: Press intrusion and the family rift explored in new doc
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has once again found himself at the centre of media attention following his recent interview as part of 'Tabloids on Trial,' an ITV documentary on phone hacking and tabloid intrusion.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
Tourist suffers 3rd-degree burns to feet after losing flip flops amid soaring temperatures in Death Valley
A tourist was hospitalized after suffering third-degree burns on his feet on Saturday when he lost his flip flops at a national park in California where temperatures soared past 50 C.
Former judge with disputed Cree heritage likely has Indigenous DNA: law society
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.