While South Surrey and White Rock are generally shielded by the worst impacts of tsunamis and earthquakes, it can't hurt to be prepared just in case.
Earthquakes cannot be predicted, but there are roughly 4,000 events recorded per year in B.C., most too small to be noticed. However, there is a chance that a big one is coming sooner or later.
And if it’s a ‘crustal’ – close to the surface – earthquake, it could do a significant amount of damage to buildings and infrastructure in our community.
Due to the two cities’ geographical location, White Rock and South Surrey will be generally shielded by nearby islands from tsunamis (the huge waves most often created by undersea earthquakes in the Pacific Ocean).
South Surrey and White Rock are both inside the boundaries of Zone E, which is classified as the lowest-risk area in the region.
IF AN EARTHQUAKE COMES
If you feel the ground shake, or receive a notification on the Canadian Earthquake Early Warning System, the often repeated mantra of ‘Drop, Cover and Hold On’, is still the best policy— except in the case of those using wheelchairs or walkers, ‘Lock, Cover, Hold On’ is the advice.
- Dropping to one’s hands and knees, or locking the wheelchair or walker into a secure position, will prevent you from falling, while allowing some latitude to move.
- Cover your head and neck with your arm and take shelter under a sturdy piece of furniture.
- Hold onto your shelter, continuing to cover your head and your neck, until the shaking stops.
- If you’re in bed, stay there, protecting your head with a pillow or blanket, which should shield you from flying objects and broken glass. Fewer people are injured there than those attempting to run for cover.
- In a highrise, follow the same ‘drop, cover and hold on’ procedure, avoiding windows and other hazards. Do not attempt to use elevators, and be aware that building fire alarms and sprinkler systems will probably be activated.
- In a car or other vehicle, pull over, stop and set the handbrake – and stay inside the vehicle until the shaking stops. Try to avoid bridges, overpasses, signs, powerlines and other hazards. If a powerline does fall on the vehicle, stay inside until a trained responder (i.e. fire or emergency personnel) can remove the wire safely.
- In a theatre or stadium, drop, cover and hold on between seating rows (if there is room). Don’t move until the shaking stops, and then move as calmly and quietly as possible, following all directions from officials.
- If near the shore or at the beach, wait until the shaking stops and immediately evacuate to higher ground, without waiting for a tsunami warning. Walk quickly instead of driving (don’t run) and stay clear of all traffic. In other outside spaces, wait until it is safe to move to a clear area.
- Count to 60 before getting up, giving any loose or displaced objects a chance to settle. Stay calm and check for unstable objects or any other hazards around you.
- If aftershocks take place, drop, cover and hold on every time you feel one.
- 911 operators will be aware of the earthquake. Only call the line to report a serious injury.
- Assess whether your home is severely damaged and unsafe to stay in. If that is the case, be prepared to evacuate immediately. If your home is damaged but still safe, stay there and use emergency kits as needed.
PREPARING YOUR HOME
Aside from the general advisability of having an emergency plan, researching what earthquake insurance you have under your home policy, putting together well-stocked grab-and-go bags in case of evacuation and identifying helpers and family meeting places, there are some other things that can be done to make your home safer in case of earthquakes:
- Secure tall, free-standing furniture (bookcases, cabinets and shelving) to wall studs using ‘L’ brackets, corner brackets or anodized aluminum moulding.
- Move any framed picture or mirror away from beds, couches and chairs, secure cabinet doors with ‘push-or-pull’ latches, and use strong ratchets, strapping and other connectors to secure large appliances such as refrigerators, freezers and washer-and-dryer units.
- Water heaters should be snugly strapped to walls, and hire a licensed gas-fitter to install a flexible gas line if necessary.
- You should know how to turn off your electrical panel, water and gas in case of leaks, or if directed by officials. If your gas is turned off at the meter, don’t try to turn it back on – only a licensed gas contractor is qualified to do that.
It’s unlikely that White Rock residents will ever experience a tsunami the likes of which devastated communities along the Indian Ocean coast in 2004.
But residents are still advised to know what to do in the event of a massive wave. Tsunamis are most often caused by huge undersea earthquakes that cause large waves, as the City of White Rock notes on its website.
White Rock is generally shielded from tsunamis created by earthquakes in the Pacific Ocean, the city notes. And, according to the Province’s Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery division, “it is generally accepted by scientific and technical experts that Victoria, eastern Vancouver Island, Vancouver and the Lower Mainland are low-risk areas.”
HOW WILL I KNOW IF A TSUNAMI IS COMING?
If a tsunami threat is identified, Emergency Management BC will activate the Provincial Emergency Notification System (PENS), which notifies local communities and agencies with information on alert levels for the province’s five tsunami zones. Each zone includes all islands and inlets within it.
Emergency response plans are implemented at the local level as required.
Throughout the event, official tsunami emergency warnings and information will be broadcast by radio, television, telephone, text message, door-to-door contact, social media, and weather radios.
Always follow instructions from local emergency officials.
HIGH GROUND HIKE: GETTING PREPARED
White Rock was one of 18 coastal communities in B.C. to plan a preparedness event during Tsunami Preparedness Week in April.
The High Ground Hike event gave people a chance to learn about earthquake and tsunami preparedness, types of tsunami alerts and what to do in the case of an emergency.
Information about planning High Ground Hike events can be found at the Government of BC website, via tinyurl.com/HighGroundHike.
