Working together to promote emergency preparedness

in the Capital Region

Brought to you by Capital Region Emergency Programs

Tsunamis in the Capital RegionA tsunami is a natural hazard, consisting of a series of long, surge-like waves that are usually caused by an underwater earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption.

The main tsunami threat to the Capital Region is from a Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) earthquake off the Pacific Coast of Vancouver Island, which could result in a local tsunami.

An earthquake may happen far away that we won’t feel, causing a distant tsunami. This is a very low-risk and low-impact event for the Capital Region.

Sometimes, distant tsunamis are preceded by water rapidly moving away from the shore. If this happens, move to higher ground.

Projected Local Tsunami Arrival Times

LocationMax Water Level (m)/(ft)*

Tsunami Arrive Time (min)

Port Renfrew 3.5 / 11.5 35

Sooke Harbour 2.5 / 8.2 60

Esquimalt Harbour 2.7 / 8.9 76

Victoria Harbour 2.5 / 8.2 76

Cadboro Bay 2.0 / 6.6 90

Sidney 2.0 / 6.6 110

* These estimated levels are based on a 9.0 CSZ earthquake.By contrast the 2011 Japanese tsunami caused by a 9.0earthquake, had a maximum water level of 40 metres.

Tsunami Alert Levels

ALERT LEVEL THREAT ACTION

WARNING Flood wave possible

Full evacuation suggested

ADVISORY Strong currents likely

Stay away from the shore

WATCH Danger level not yet known

Stay alert for more information

INFORMATION STATEMENT

Minor waves at most

No action suggested

CANCELLATION Tidal gauges show no wave activity

Confirm safety of local areas

Be Prepared to Respond to a Tsunami Warning

Know your zone! Check the Tsunami Hazard Map on the reverse to see if you live, work, play, or go to school in a tsunami hazard zone.

If you do, here’s what you should do during a tsunami warning:

• Move to higher ground. If you are at four metres or 13 feetabove sea level, you’re safe from a tsunami in the Capital Region. You can look at the compass on your mobile device or Google Earth to find out your elevation.

• Move to higher ground on foot or bike if possible, to keeproads clear for emergency responders.

• Move away from beaches, marinas and bodies of waterand DO NOT go back to tsunami hazard zones until localgovernment officials tell you it is safe to return.

• DO NOT call 911 unless you have a life threateningemergency and stay off phone lines as they will be in useby emergency personnel.

• Stay tuned to local media channels for further instructions(Have a battery or crank-operated radio in your Grab-and-Gobag and know your local radio, TV, and trusted social mediasources of information).

Tsunami Preparedness Tips

• Know where higher ground is and how to get there(see map on reverse).

• Practise your evacuation routes on foot or bike with yourfamily members, friends or colleagues.

• Have Grab-and-Go bags ready for your family and petsto take with them. (See PrepareYourself.ca for tips onwhat to include.)

• Have a family reunification plan which includes evacuationroutes, emergency contacts, designated meeting places,and arrangements to stay with family or friends who are notlocated in a tsunami hazard zone.

• If you are not located in a tsunami hazard zone, be preparedto assist family and friends in need of shelter.

Tsunami Safety in the Capital Region

If you are near the ocean and feel an earthquake that makes it difficult to stand, move to higher ground or inland immediately. Do not wait for an official warning!

In the event of a tsunami warning, local governments will communicate instructions using various methods. These may include telephone/email/text alert systems, sirens, social media channels, websites, media outlets, or door-to-door visits.

Go to PrepareYourself.ca to find out which systems your local government uses, and if there is an alert system you can subscribe to.

If you are near the ocean and feel an earthquake that lasts 60 seconds or more, or makes it difficult to stand:

Gra

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tesy

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Pre

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DO Drop, Cover and Hold On until the shaking has stopped

DO move to higher ground

DO stay tuned to local media for updates

DO follow the instructions of authorities

DO NOT go near the water to watch

Tsunami signs to watch for at the beach:

• A sudden rise or fall of ocean level• A loud roaring noise coming from the ocean• Ground shaking

It is important to remember that tsunami waves will continue to arrive for hours after the initial rise and fall of the ocean level.

The shaking is your tsunami warningin the Capital Region

Tsunami waves may arrive for hours

Protect yourself during earthquakes

4m/13ft

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The shaking is your tsunami warningin the Capital Region

Tsunami waves may arrive for hours

Protect yourself during earthquakes

4m/13ft

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District of Saanich

Tsunami Information for the Capital Region

DORISPAGEPARK

CORDOVA BAY RD

WALEMA AVE

SEAPEARLP L

TOTEM LANE

SEAMISTRISE

FENN AVE

MAJOR RD

SUNNYGROVE PL

HALIBURTON RD

DOUMAC AVE

WESTPOR TPL

GL ORIA PL

TEMPLE AVE

D'ARCY LANE

ABBEYRD

AG ATEL

ANE

CLAREMONT AVE

MAXI

NELA

N E

SYMPHONY P L

PARKERAVE

CORDOVABA YRD

LOCHSIDE DR

Colquitz River

Colquitz River

Peers

Creek

Colquitz River

Townof ViewRoyal

Township ofEsquimalt

BURNSIDE RD W

AUSTIN AV

EDYS

ART RD

KNOCKAN D R

WESTING RD

INTERURBAN RD

ZINNI

ARD

VINCENT AVE

HELE

NRD

MARIGOLD

RD

COLQ

UITZ A

VE

VIOLET AVE

CARE

Y RD

TULIP AVE

ALBINA ST

SEDGER R D

BODEGA RD

ADMIRALS RD

ADMIRALS RD

GORGE RD W

GORGE RD W

COWPER ST

PORTAGE RD

ADMIRALS RD

TILLIC

UM RD

GRAN

GE RD

GLADIOLA AVE

ASHL

EYR D

LABURNUM RD

HELMCKEN RD

ARENA RD

JONES TERR

LAVENDER AVE

ARUNDEL DR

SN OWDROP AVE

DAFFODIL AVE

MINA AVE

SO U T HVAL

LEY D

R

IRIS AVE

INEZ DR

ARNOT AVE

ROLSTON CRES

MILD

RED

ST

TALLTR

EE PL

CARDI

ECRT

DAVIDA AVE

DAISY AVE

WALTER AVE

KER AVE

OBED AVE

JASMINE AVE

HEATH

DR

NEWBURY STMIDDLETON ST

PARKVIEW DR

MURR

AY

DR

MCKENZIE AVE

WYNDEA

TT AV

E

ADELAIDE A

VE

HOLL

AND

AVE

ROCKWELL A

VEWI

LKINS

ON RD

INLET A

VE

TRANS CANADA HWY

TRANS CANADA HWY

Districtof Oak Bay

Haro Creek

SHER

WOOD RD

BAYNES RD

ARBUTUS RD

ARBUTUS RD

LOCKEHAVEN DR

KILLARNEY RD

HOBBS ST

HA

RO RD

ARBUTUS RD

TELEGRAPH BAY RD

SINCLAIR RD

PHYLLIS ST

CADBORO BAY RD

TUDOR AVE

TUDOR AVE

MAYNARD ST

BEDFORD RD

MACDON

ALDD

R W

PENRHYN ST

AMROTH PL

AS

PEN PL

W

ARING PL

MACDONALD D R E

DAWE RD

ROWLEY R

D

LAUDER RD

SEAVIEW

RD

SEA VIEW RDALP

INECRES

CHERRI LE ECRES

SCOLTO

N RD

MT. BAKERVIEWRD

SEA POINT DR

MCANALLY RD

QUEENSW

OOD DR

Cordova Bay

Telegraph Cove

0 100 200 30050Meters

0 100 200 30050Meters

KONUKSONPARK

PHYLLIS PARK

Cadboro Bay

CADBORO GYRO PARK

0 100 200 30050Meters

Tsunami Hazard Zones District of Saanich

Date Produced: Apr 20, 2018

¨Legend

Tsunami Hazard LineAffected ParcelsAffected Parks

Municipal BoundaryCRD RegionParks

Portage Inlet