News spread quickly in Port Alberni that a potential tsunami warning might hit British Columbia’s west coast following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Russia’s Kuril Islands on March 24.
This presented some people in the city’s tsunami inundation zone with a quandary: “If I’m in self-isolation or quarantine, what do I do?”
With the threat of coronavirus (COVID-19) bringing in temporary rules like self-isolating after international travel, or self-quarantining if exhibiting flu-like symptoms, the question was a serious one. The answer is similar to triaging emergencies—deal with the biggest threat first, Port Alberni EOC information manager Karen Freethy said.
“You have to deal with the imminent threat first. That would be the tsunami. It would mean evacuating from your house (if you’re in the inundation zone) because that is the immediate threat, over a potential threat from COVID-19.”
In Port Alberni, the EOC is prepared to open multiple reception centres—the main site is Echo ’67 Centre on Wallace Street—to aid in social distancing with the number of people expected. Sheltering in a vehicle in the parking lot is acceptable.
“We also know there are a lot of people that would be on foot. We would open reception centres anyway to provide shelter for people coming on foot.”
By 9:10 p.m. Tuesday night Emergency Management B.C. posted on Twitter that the earthquake in Russia posed no threat to the B.C. coast, and there would be no tsunami watch.
Russia’s tsunami scare was also on the minds of west coast residents in Ucluelet, Tofino and Bamfield, who wondered what to do if a tsunami alert had been issued for the Coast.
Ucluelet’s fire chief and emergency services manager Rick Geddes and Tofino’s emergency services co-ordinator Keith Orchiston said the basic principles apply: go to high ground.
“For us in Ucluelet, we would still assemble our EOC Team at the fire hall, go over our evacuation plan, and execute the plan. Our main message for people is to go to our high ground “safe” zones. i.e.: the school fields, Tugwell Field, Amphitrite Point etc.,” said Geddes.
“All the basic principles still apply here, in terms of community response,” Orchiston added. “If you feel an earthquake, “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”. Then immediately move to the identified high ground areas. Once there we would ask that you maintain social distancing protocols. This will look different depending on where you are (top of Industrial Way, Reception Centre, etc.),” said Orchiston, adding the District of Tofino has specific messaging flagged and ready to send out in the event of an “emergency on emergency”.
The big twist, notes fire chief Geddes, is that we now have thrown into the picture social or physical distancing due to COVID-19 safety concerns.
“To address that, we would stress to people who are not in the inundation zone, that they should shelter in place. Those within the inundation zone would be advised to continue social distancing practices as best they can. This may mean evacuating, but then sheltering in place in your vehicles,” Geddes said.
nora.omalley@westerlynews.caLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
READ: Tsunami not expected for B.C. after 7.5-magnitude earthquake hits near Russia
READ: 4.8 earthquake shakes Vancouver Island’s west coast (Jan. 24, 2020)
