BC is due for “the
Big One” …
Every seismic tremor in British Columbia brings a question:
Is it the Big One? A U.S. scientist now says there's a 10-15% chance a
mega-earthquake will strike in the next 50 years. A 9.0-magnitude earthquake
will likely hit from southern B.C. to Oregon and could send a tsunami crashing
into B.C.!
The last major earthquake to hit British Columbia happened
in June 1946. It had a magnitude of 7.3, making it the largest onshore
earthquake in Canada's history. The Big One could have a magnitude greater than
9.0, powerful enough to radically alter the region's landscape. The last
mega-earthquake struck the North Pacific Ocean in 1700. It was so powerful it
pushed a tsunami across the North Pacific Ocean to Japan, where it hit with a
height of nine metres.
I have heard this my entire life: “BC is due for ‘The Big
One’” and it may or may not happen in my lifetime; but I would much rather have
a great Earthquake Survival Kit ready to go and never use it, rather than being
stranded for a week with no emergency supplies for me or my family. With the
recent earthquake that shook south-western BC, it’s a great time to review – or
start – your Emergency Preparedness Plan.
72 Hours: Is Your
Family Prepared? Don’t wait; prepare today!
Disasters can strike any time, anywhere, so planning is key. If
an emergency happens in your community, it may take emergency workers some time
to reach you. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family
for a minimum of 72 hours. Prepare for that possibility by visiting PreparedBC
and taking a few simple steps.
Know the risks
Earthquakes, floods, tsunamis and wildfires are just some of
the disasters that could occur in British Columbia. Research the potential
risks in your region and prepare accordingly. Learn more about disasters,
including those triggered by natural hazards, technological hazards or conflict
by using the Canadian Disaster Database.
Make a plan
Your family may not be together when an emergency occurs.
Plan how to meet or how to contact one another, and discuss what you would do
in different situations. A family plan will help you cope with the stress of
emergencies.
Get an emergency kit
When disaster hits, there may not be time to collect
emergency supplies. Ensure you have grab-and-go kits for your home, office and
vehicle. They should all contain water and supplies for a minimum of 72 hours.
Household plan
Emergency exits
Draw up a floor plan of your home that shows all possible
exits from each room. Plan a main exit route and an alternate exit route from
each room. If you live in an apartment, plan to use the stairs instead of the
elevators. If you are unable to use the stairs, notify emergency personnel
ahead of time. Also, identify an evacuation route from your neighbourhood in
case you need to leave in a hurry (and think of more than one option).
Safe home
instructions
Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector, smoke
alarm, fire extinguisher and well-stocked first aid kit. If you live in an
apartment, or if you are staying in a hotel, know where the fire alarms and at
least two emergency exits are located.
Make sure you have a fire extinguisher on every level of
your home, including one in your kitchen. Everyone in your home should know
where to find the fire extinguishers. All capable adults and older children
should know how to use it. See instructions regarding the lifetime of your fire
extinguisher and check with your local fire department for more information.
Older children and adults should know how to turn off your
home's water, electricity and gas. Make large, easy-to-see signs for water and
gas shut-offs as well as for the electrical panel.
Teach children how and when to dial 9-1-1 as well as how to call
the designated out-of-town contact. Limit phone calls to urgent messages only. Keep calls short
to free up the lines for others.
Meeting places
Identify safe places where everyone should meet if you cannot
go home or you need to evacuate.
Connect with your
neighbours
Following a disaster, the most immediate help will likely
come from those around you – your neighbours. Connecting and building
relationships with them today will mean a better response and faster recovery. Work
with your neighbours to identify people who may need extra help during an
emergency. To help make sure everyone is taken care of, assign “block buddies.”
Write a note in your calendar to update this plan every January.
Make copies of
important documents
Make copies of birth and marriage certificates, passports,
licences, wills, land deeds and insurance. Take photos of family members in
case a lost persons record is created. Keep them in a safe place, both inside
and outside your home. You might want to put them in a safety deposit box or
give them to friends and family who live out of town.
Workplace
Learn about the emergency evacuation plans in place and what
you will need to do. You may want to have some basic supplies at work, such as
water and food that won't spoil, in case you need to stay put for a while. Check with your
employer about workplace emergency plans, including fire alarms, emergency
exits, meeting points, and designated safety personnel or floor wardens.
Children
Ask your children's school or daycare about their emergency
policies. Find out how they will contact families during an emergency. Find out what type of authorization the school or daycare
requires to release your children to a designated person if you can't pick them
up.
Make sure the school or daycare has updated contact
information for parents, caregivers and designated persons.
Plan for pets!
In case of an evacuation, remember that pets are not allowed
in some public shelters or hotels. In case of an evacuation, prepare to take
your pets with you to the home of a relative or friend, or take steps to
identify pet-friendly hotels or pet boarding facilities in your area and
further away from home.
Sign Up For Emergency
Alerts
To receive tsunami email notifications, you can sign up via
the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission or Text “follow NWS_NTWC” to
21212 to receive SMS alerts on your mobile phone.
Emergency #Hashtag
List
When disasters hit, people want to be part of the online
conversation. #Hashtags can be used to connect and share information about emergency
response both at home and around the world.
As a guide, Emergency Info BC has compiled a quick list of
evolving, trending and most-used emergency hashtags in British Columbia. Our
partners at the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure also oversee a
list of the most popular hashtags for B.C. communities.
Do you Know Your
Tsunami Zone?
B.C.’s coastal communities have been divided into five “notification zones“. Know your zone in advance of a tsunami.
15 Easy Steps to
Emergency Preparedness
How to become Emergency Ready broken down into into 15 easy
steps here.
Emergency
Preparedness for Seniors & People with Special Needs
Read an excellent article on helping seniors be prepared here.
We hope this collection of tips has helped inspire you to
review your safety plans in the event of an emergency. We never know when the
next emergency will strike, or where we’ll be, so it’s best to have plans in
place to ensure that you and those you love will be safe. For those looking for a little added incentive, watch the BBC documentary – “MegaQuake Could Hit North America”.
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