Do you know what to do if a tsunami hits B.C.? Province issues annual reminder to be prepared
B.C.’s annual push to get people who live in coastal communities thinking about what to do, where to go and how to respond if a tsunami hits is officially underway.
Tsunami Preparedness Week runs from April 14 to 20 this year and comes just weeks after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake near Taiwan triggered a tsunami risk assessment for the West Coast, according to a bulletin released by the province on Friday.
"Many areas along the coast of B.C. are at risk of tsunamis, which are a series of giant waves that can send surges of water to shore quickly and cause severe damage," said Bowinn Ma, minister of emergency management and climate readiness.
"While it's hard to imagine a tsunami happening, getting prepared now and knowing what to do should one happen can help keep you and your loved ones safe.”
A number of communities are hosting “High Ground Hikes” to inform residents about where to go if a tsunami strikes, what the local risk is, how best to prepare and how to stay informed.
“Most tsunamis are caused by earthquakes that occur under or very near the ocean. People living on the coast in a tsunami zone should drop, cover and hold on when an earthquake occurs and immediately move to higher ground after the shaking stops,” the statement from the province says.
In the event of a tsunami – or when there is risk of one – 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.
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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.
Stolen septic truck swerves through traffic, spike belt needed to stop it: Manitoba RCMP
A 29-year-old woman has been charged after police say she stole a septic truck from a Manitoba community and drove erratically on the highway.
Orphan orca's extended family spotted off northeast side of Vancouver Island
Members of a killer whale pod related to an orphan orca calf that escaped a remote British Columbia tidal lagoon last month have been spotted off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.