In celebration of Tsunami Preparedness Week (April 14-20, 2024) in British Columbia, the British Columbia Earthquake Alliance (BCEA) is holding free preparedness events.
Today (April 12), BCEA has tsunami preparedness activities in Port Alberni from 1pm to 4pm. BCEA’s High Ground Hike, which is a guided hike to designated tsunami-safe locations, is aimed at raising awareness of the tsunami risk in the province while giving people along the coast the opportunity to practise reaching these locations.
Public earthquake preparedness tour visits, meanwhile, will be held on April 13, 14, and 19 in Tofino, Ucluelet, and Delta, respectively.
Commenting on the preparedness events, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) Pacific & Western vice president Aaron Sutherland said: “As the most seismically active region in Canada, southwest British Columbia has a 30% chance of experiencing a significant earthquake in the next 50 years. It’s not a question of if, but when.
“IBC is proud to sponsor the Earthquake Preparedness Tour and High Ground Hike, which provide communities with the opportunity to learn about the potential for a catastrophic event and how to prepare themselves and their families. Together, we can build a culture of preparedness and ensure a safer future for all.”
BCEA president Naomi Yamamoto added: “Tsunami Preparedness Week goes hand in hand with earthquake education. The earthquake simulator is an unforgettable educational experience that we’re grateful to be able to bring to potentially vulnerable communities.”
For Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma, it is important that residents of coastal communities are ready in the event an earthquake large enough to cause a tsunami occurs.
“During Tsunami Preparedness Week, I encourage everyone to get prepared by packing grab-and-go bags, becoming familiar with local alerting services, and taking part in a High Ground Hike and the Earthquake Preparedness Tour,” Ma said.
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