Emergency resources for residents and visitors

Where to find emergency information

Primary sources of emergency information

These are your sources for information during emergencies in B.C.

• Your local authority: Connect with your local government or First Nation for community-specific information.
• EmergencyInfoBC: Official source for provincial emergency information from issuing authorities in B.C., including Evacuation Orders and Evacuation Alerts from local authorities and First Nations.
• EmergencyMapBC: Visual, map-based information about locations and boundaries of current emergencies, including Evacuation Orders and Alerts; also includes the locations of community resources, including Emergency Cooling Centres, Emergency Warming Centres, and Emergency Support Services locations.  
• BC Emergency Alerts: Issued to TV, radio, and cell phones to targeted areas during major emergencies (no subscription required).
• BC Wildfire Map:  Visual, map-based information about active wildfire locations and response activities.
• Emergency Support Services (ESS): Assistance for people evacuated from their homes due to an emergency.
• DriveBC: Real-time updates on road closures, conditions, and detours.

Trusted sources by type of emergency

Trusted sources of emergency information can change based on the type of emergency. These are your trusted sources for each major type of emergency in B.C., including wildfires, floods, earthquakes and tsunamis.

Wildfire

• BC Wildfire Service Map:  View active wildfire locations, stage of control, fire size, and attack crew response information.
• BC Wildfire mobile app: View up-to-date information about wildfires in B.C. on your cell phone (available via iOS/Android app stores).
• Air Quality Health Index: Check smoky skies bulletins and air quality health advisories.

Flood

• River Forecast Centre: View active Flood Watches, Flood Warnings and Flood Advisories across B.C.

Earthquake and tsunami

• National Tsunami Warning Centre (NTWC): Get information about Tsunami Warnings, Tsunami Advisories, and Tsunami Watches that may impact B.C.
• Earthquakes Canada: Get information about recent earthquakes and report online if you felt an earthquake in B.C.
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Map: Get information about recent earthquakes in the United States of America and Canada.

Severe weather, heat and cold

• EmergencyMapBC: Find Emergency Warming Centre and Emergency Cooling Centre locations, and Emergency Support Services locations, shared at the discretion of First Nations and local governments
• Environment and Climate Change Canada Weather Information: View active weather alerts and weather warnings in B.C.

Resources to prepare for emergencies

There are resources to help you prepare for different types of emergencies, and general guidance on emergency preparedness.

• PreparedBC: Checklists, guides, and other resources for all major hazards in B.C.
  • Know the hazards in your community
  • Build a grab-and-go bag
  • Make your emergency plan

Emergency terms

General

BC Emergency Alert: BC Emergency Alerts are broadcast on TV, radio, and to cell phones to provide urgent public safety information to targeted areas during life-threatening emergencies.  

Local State of Emergency: Declared by a local government when an emergency or disaster within its jurisdiction requires access to emergency powers provided under the Emergency and Disaster Management Act.

State of Provincial Emergency: Declared by the Government of British Columbia when an emergency or disaster within B.C. requires access to emergency powers provided under the Emergency and Disaster Management Act.

Evacuation Alert: Be ready to leave on short notice. If you leave before or during this alert, it’s called a voluntary evacuation.

Evacuation Order: You are at risk. Leave the area immediately.

Evacuation Rescinded: The risk to life and safety has now passed. It is safe to return home. Stay tuned for other possible evacuation alerts or orders.

Tactical Evacuation: Evacuations enacted very quickly, when a sudden threat to life requires immediate action and there is no time to prepare or issue written warnings. These types of evacuations are often coordinated by the local fire department, RCMP, or local police, with assistance from other agencies. Leave the area immediately, following the advice and direction of local authorities and emergency responders.

Shelter-in-place: Anyone outside is at risk. Go inside and close and lock all windows and exterior doors.

By emergency

Tsunami

• Tsunami Warning: Flood wave possible. Full evacuation suggested.
• Tsunami Advisory: Strong currents likely. Stay away from the shore.
• Tsunami Watch: Danger level not yet known. Stay alert for more information.
• Tsunami Information Statement: Minor waves at most. No action suggested.
• Tsunami Cancellation: Tidal gauges show no wave activity. Confirm safety for local areas.

Heat Warning: Issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada when 2 or more consecutive days of daytime maximum temperatures are expected above set thresholds (variable by region).

Extreme Cold Warning: Issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada when any combination of wind speed and temperature create cold weather conditions that are dangerous to health and safety (variable by region).

Arctic Outflow Warning: For coastal areas of B.C., issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada when any combination of wind speed and temperature create cold weather conditions that are dangerous to health and safety.

Amber Alert: When a child abduction situation meets established criteria, an Amber Alert is issued to solicit the public’s help for the safe and prompt return of the abducted child.

Flood

• Flood Warning: River levels have exceeded the riverbank or will exceed the riverbank imminently, and flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers will result. 
• Flood Watch: River levels are rising and will approach or may exceed the riverbank. Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur. 
• High Streamflow Advisory: River levels are rising or are expected to rise rapidly, but no major flooding is expected. Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible. 
• Freshet: Spring flooding due to snowmelt and rainfall.