Tuesday, April 5, 2022 – Tsunami Preparedness Week is an annual campaign that focuses on public education and raising awareness about BC’s tsunami risk.
During the week, PreparedBC and the Sooke Emergency Program will offer preparedness tips on social media channels to provide residents with an opportunity to:
- Understand what tsunami zone you live in – what the hazards are, and how to prepare.
- Differentiate between the different Tsunami Alert Levels: 1) Tsunami Watch 2) Tsunami Advisory and 3) Tsunami Warning, and actions to take during each alert level.
- Learn the elevation of your residence whatismyelevation.com It is projected that most properties in Sooke higher than 4m (13 feet) above sea level are safe from a tsunami; however, there are some variations to this guideline depending on the area that you live in.
- Know where high ground is If you are in a tsunami inundation zone.
- Practice reaching a tsunami safe zone by participating in the Virtual Hike to High Ground event (and enter the contest to win prizes).
- Sign up for Alertable (sooke.ca) emergency alerts to ensure you receive tsunami alert notifications.
Did you know that 90% of the residences in Sooke, and all schools, are safe from the threat of a tsunami as they are located on high ground and outside of the tsunami inundation zone?
A Local Tsunami (caused by a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake off the Pacific Coast of Vancouver Island) is the main tsunami threat in the Capital Region and is associated with a “felt” earthquake. Feeling a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake will be an early warning sign of a potential tsunami; however, the earthquake will need to be substantial to trigger a significant tsunami.
Sooke has the benefit of being geographically located on a hillside. This means that most of the properties in the district will not be impacted by a tsunami – but will be by the earthquake that caused it. Residents who live on at-risk properties that are close to shorelines are advised to hike to high ground if there is a tsunami warning in effect. Sooke Road/West Coast Road (Highway 14) is on high ground, so walking/hiking to the road, or above (north of) it, is a safe option. The Sooke River may flood due to a tsunami surge. Residents living on properties along the southern section of the Sooke River shoreline should also seek high ground.
During a significant event in Sooke, the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) will be activated for a coordinated response to the event. A Reception Centre will be open at the Sooke Community Hall and/or EMCS (the high school) to support residents who have been evacuated from their homes. Sooke-specific tsunami inundation zone maps are currently being finalized as part of a regional tsunami mapping project and will soon be available to the public on the District of Sooke website.
All Sooke residents should be prepared for an emergency at all times. Plan to be self-sufficient for one week – local emergency responders will be overwhelmed during a significant event. Consider pets and children’s needs. It is critical that you Prepare Yourself! Understand the risks, make a household emergency plan, and get your emergency kit together.
Virtual High Ground Hike – Enter the Contest!
Hike to High Ground is an event that provides residents with an opportunity to practice walking/hiking up to high enough ground that you are safe. The best way to protect yourself from a tsunami is to move to high ground or inland, away from the water as soon as you hear official tsunami warnings or experience any natural tsunami warning signs.
Prizes include:
- 2 Preparedness kits for 4 people
- 4 Preparedness kits for 2 people
- 6 Grab-and-go starter bags
- 5 Cell phone charging kits
- 10 Water-proof headlamps
- 20 Phone banks
For full contest rules go to: www.preparedbc.ca/highgroundhike
Questions?
Contact the Sooke Emergency Program 250-642-5422
