This week has been dubbed Tsunami Preparedness Week, and the District of Saanich is encouraging residents to plan ahead to be prepared in the event of a tsunami.
This is an important reminder to check your household plan, build or refresh your emergency kit and make sure everyone in your home knows what to do and where to go in the event of an emergency.
“Tsunami Preparedness Week is a great opportunity for residents to take action,” said Erin Stockill, Saanich Emergency Program Officer.
“Even small steps—like confirming your meeting place, reviewing evacuation routes, and restocking supplies—can make a real difference. Many people are surprised to learn that much of Saanich is outside the tsunami hazard zone. And for the areas that are within it, getting to safety is often straightforward—such as moving a few blocks inland from the beach, like at Cordova Bay.”
She added that anyone living in a tsunami hazard zone should practice their evacuation route on foot or by bike.
The District is also reminding residents about the Capital Region Tsunami Information Portal, which allows users to enter any address within the Capital Regional District to see if it is in a hazard zone. It also includes information about recent earthquakes in the region.
Community members are invited to attend a speaker series put on by the Saanich Emergency Program on May 13th from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Saanich Commonwealth Place.
The program will include informative presentations to help residents build their preparedness, knowledge and confidence.
To learn more about what it means to be prepared in the case of a tsunami or other emergency, visit Saanich’s emergency program webpage.
