Submit a Photo for Entry to Win a Fully-Stocked Emergency Kit
PRINCE RUPERT, APRIL 12th, 2024 - Next week is Tsunami Preparedness week – and Prince Rupert is joining several coastal and Island communities, from Stewart to Victoria, in spreading awareness. Tsunami Preparedness Week runs from April 14 – 20th, and during that time, we’re hosting a ‘high ground’ selfie contest. We’re taking the opportunity to remind the community that for Rupert residents, the best course of action during a Tsunami Warning or Alert is to head up and away from the waterfront, or if you’re at home, to stay there.
"Tsunami Preparedness week is a great opportunity for us to make sure our community is well-informed about local conditions and concerns during a potential tsunami event," said Jeff Beckwith, Prince Rupert Fire Chief. "Prince Rupert is a community set back from the waterfont, with almost all of our residential areas at elevation. The most important thing is for residents to stay away from the waterfront, the Skeena River and also from the hospital so they don’t impede emergency traffic during a tsunami alert.”
“Tsunamis are a hazard for many coastal communities in B.C., such as Prince Rupert,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “This Tsunami Preparedness Week, take the time to prepare a grab-and-go bag, familiarize yourself with local alerts, make a plan for you and your family, and take part in the High Ground selfie contest. Preparing now puts you a step ahead in the event of an emergency,” said Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, Bowinn Ma.
Based on the City’s Tsunami study, completed in 2019, the areas at direct risk are those along the waterfront and strong currents at the water’s edge. All residential areas are at significant enough elevation to be considered high ground, except for Beach Place and Water Street, and those were only noted at risk of inundation in a major landslide-based tsunami event.
The event, coordinated by PreparedBC across the Province and co-hosted by Prince Rupert is encouraging coastal residents of BC to get informed about tsunami preparedness, review your emergency kit or start one if you don’t have one, and have some fun in the process. It's easy to participate, and when you enter the City’s #HighGroundSelfiePR contest, you could win a fully-stocked Emergency Kit for a family of four, sponsored by PreparedBC.
First, go to one of our tsunami-safe location(s) at:
- The corner of Dry Dock Road and 6th Avenue East
- The corner of Bill Murray Drive and Stiles Place
- The Rec Complex (our emergency muster station)
- Your house! (So long as you don’t live on Beach Place or Water Street– this counts as high ground. We’re making it easy for you.)
Take a selfie at high ground (our tsunami-safe location).
Then, between April 14 - 20, post your selfie to Facebook or Twitter, tag @CityofPR and use the hashtag #HighGroundSelfiePR
Visit princerupert.ca to learn more about:
- the #HighGroundSelfiePR contest
- Prince Rupert’s high ground location(s)
- Prince Rupert’s evacuation route(s) away from the waterfront (but stay on Kaien Island!)
- Prince Rupert’s tsunami notification process
- Prince Rupert’s tsunami notification zone
Learn more about tsunami preparedness and what to put in your emergency kit:
BACKGROUND
Not sure what it means when you get an alert about tsunamis? There are varying levels of alerts issued – and generally Prince Rupert issues the lower levels of alert. See below for the different alert levels and what they mean:
Tsunami Warning – A tsunami warning is issued when a tsunami with the potential to generate widespread inundation is imminent, expected, or occurring. Warnings alert the public that dangerous coastal flooding accompanied by powerful currents is possible and may continue for several hours after initial arrival. Warnings alert emergency management officials to take action for the entire tsunami hazard zone. Appropriate actions to be taken by local officials may include the evacuation of low-lying coastal areas and the repositioning of ships to deep waters when there is time to safely do so. Warnings may be updated, adjusted geographically, downgraded, or canceled based on updated information and analysis.
Tsunami Advisory – A tsunami advisory is issued when a tsunami with the potential to generate strong currents or waves dangerous to those in or very near the water is imminent, expected, or occurring. The threat may continue for several hours after initial arrival, but significant inundation is not expected for areas under an advisory. Appropriate actions to be taken by local officials may include closing beaches, evacuating harbors and marinas, and repositioning ships to deep waters when there is time to safely do so. Advisories may be updated, adjusted geographically, upgraded to a warning, or canceled based on updated information and analysis.
Tsunami Watch – A tsunami watch is issued when a tsunami may later impact the watch area. The watch may be upgraded to a warning or advisory or canceled based on updated information and analysis. Emergency management officials and the public should prepare to take action.
Tsunami Information Statement – A tsunami information statement is issued when an earthquake or tsunami has occurred of interest to the message recipients. In most cases, information statements are issued to indicate there is no threat of a destructive basin-wide tsunami and to prevent unnecessary evacuations. Information statements for distant events requiring evaluation may be upgraded to a warning, advisory, or watch based on updated information and analysis.
A cancellation is issued after an evaluation of water-level data confirms that a destructive tsunami will not impact an area under a warning, advisory, or watch or that a tsunami has diminished to a level where additional damage is not expected.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Veronika Stewart, Manager of Communications, Engagement and Social Development
Office: (250) 627 0976
Cell: (778) 884 6285
Email: veronika.stewart@princerupert.ca