Sooke could soon see the return of tsunami warning signs that were taken down in a wave of protest in 2007.
The eight signs, paid for with a Provincial Emergency Program grant, were taken down almost as soon as they went up, after many residents, including bed-and-breakfast owners and real-estate agents, complained they were creating fear and potentially reducing property values.
Sooke Fire Chief Steve Sorensen said there are four at-risk areas around Sooke that would be signed. The signs read: Tsunami Hazard Zone.
“It’s just a warning that you’re in a low-lying area and, if something happens, you probably don’t want to drive through that area,” Sorensen said. “It’s just an information sign and it’s more for the tourists and people who aren’t familiar with the area. … I’m hoping the locals would know.”
Sooke’s Emergency Services Committee, which was asked by council to revisit the sign issue, was slated to discuss it this week. That meeting was cancelled but Sorensen expects the committee will recommend reinstalling the signs.
Sorensen doesn’t believe the signs will have an effect on property values or tourism as they essentially signify low-lying areas.
“I’ve talked to my counterparts in other areas, and it’s made absolutely no difference as far as anyone has been able to tell. If you’re buying a house on the beach, I think you’ve got to know that there’s some risk.”
Sooke residents have been polled at public events over recent months and support for the signs has been more than 95 per cent, Sorensen said.
Coun. Rick Kasper was the lone council member to vote against removing the signs in 2007. He said there is more awareness about tsunami risks now and expects this council will approve the signs going back up.
The signs are widely used in coastal areas of the U.S. including Oregon, Washington state, California and other parts of Vancouver Island.
Mieke Dusseldorp, a real-estate agent with Coast Realty in Parksville, sells waterfront homes in the Tofino area where there are signs indicating tsunami zones and evacuation routes. She said customers do not worry about those signs — but an actual tsunami anywhere in the world can affect business.
“Immediately, waterfront buyers are not interested,” Dusseldorp said. “And it’s not about the signs in town, it’s about a comfort level.”
Tofino Mayor Jodie Osborne said the community takes its tsunami responsibility seriously.
“We’ve included a tsunami education component in our local ambassador program for front-line workers, and we’re working with local businesses, other communities in the region and Parks Canada to strengthen our communication and warning signage.”
— With files from Katherine Dedyna
