The City of Victoria wants people to know what to do and where to go in the event of a tsunami warning.
This week is Tsunami Preparedness Week and although tsunamis are rare, it’s important to understand what the impact would be on Victoria, the city said.
Victoria is at a lower risk than coastal communities such as Tofino and Ucluelet, which face open water. Because of their locations, they have tsunami sirens. And it’s unlikely Victoria will be struck by a large, fast wave like the tsunamis that caused death and destruction in Thailand and Japan in recent years, the city said.
The main tsunami threat to Victoria is from a magnitude 9 Cascadia subduction zone earthquake off the coast of Vancouver Island.
Shaking from an earthquake is the best warning of a local tsunami. In a magnitude 9 Cascadia subduction zone earthquake, it will take about 76 minutes for a tsunami to arrive in Victoria Harbour, with a maximum water level of 2.5 metres or 8.2 feet. By comparison, the 2011 Japanese tsunami caused by a magnitude 9 earthquake had a maximum water level of 40 metres or approximately 131 feet.
Residents of the capital region will be safe if they are four metres above sea level, the city said.
Check Google Earth to find out your approximate elevation. Some compass and GPS smartphone apps will also give you your approximate elevation.
To find out if you are located in a tsunami hazard zone, check the Capital Regional District Tsunami Hazard Map or the City of Victoria’s Tsunami Hazard Map at http://tinyurl.com/tsunamihazardmap.
In the event of a tsunami warning, anyone in a low coastal area, beach, marina or harbour is advised to move to higher ground immediately, on foot or bike if possible, and take an emergency kit.
Don’t stay to watch the tsunami waves and do not return until officials say it’s safe to do so. Depending on your location, higher ground might only be a few blocks away.
Those not located in a tsunami hazard zone are advised to shelter in place and be prepared to assist family, friends and neighbours in need of shelter, staying tuned to local media outlets for updates.
The city suggests that residents not wait for an official tsunami warning. If they are near the ocean and feel an earthquake that makes it difficult to stand for 60 seconds or more, they should drop, cover and hold on. When the shaking has stopped, count to 60, then move to higher ground or inland immediately.
The City of Victoria receives notifications of potential distant tsunamis from the National Tsunami Warning Centre. The city’s emergency notification service and the provincial government’s AlertBC system both send out distant tsunami warnings.
• For updates in an emergency, follow @CityofVictoria on Twitter and visit victoria.ca
• For more information and to subscribe to Vic-Alert, the City of Victoria’s free emergency notification service, go to VictoriaReady.ca.
