Resources
ClimateReadyBC is a central, open information portal where you can explore climate and disaster risk data, information and resources.
This information will help communities, organizations, and individuals identify the risks they face, how they are created, and how they can be effectively managed.
Evacuation Stages
Evacuation Order: You are at risk. Leave the area immediately.
Evacuation Alert: Be ready to leave on short notice. If you leave before or during this alert, it’s called a voluntary evacuation.
Declaration of Local State of Emergency: Declared by a local government when an emergency or disaster within its jurisdiction requires access to the extraordinary emergency powers of the Emergency Program Act.
Evacuation Rescinded: All is currently safe and you can return home. Stay tuned for other possible evacuation alerts or orders.
Tactical Evacuation: Initiated when a threat to life safety requires immediate action and there is very little time to prepare or issue written warnings. These evacuations are often coordinated by the RCMP or local police, with assistance from other agencies. Leave the area immediately, following the advice and direction of authorities.
Tsunami Alert Levels
Warning: A “Warning” is the highest level of tsunami alert. Warnings are issued due to the imminent threat of a tsunami from a large undersea earthquake, or following confirmation that a potentially destructive tsunami is underway. They may initially be based only on seismic information as a means of providing the earliest possible alert. Warnings advise that appropriate actions be taken in response to the tsunami threat. Such actions could include the evacuation of low-lying coastal areas.
Advisory: An “Advisory” is the second highest level of tsunami alert. Advisories are issued due to the threat of a tsunami that has the potential to produce strong currents dangerous to those in or near the water. Significant inundation is not expected for areas under an Advisory but coastal zones may be at risk due to strong currents. Appropriate actions by local emergency management personnel may include closing beaches and evacuating harbours and marinas.
Watch: A “Watch” is the third highest level of tsunami alert. Watches are based on seismic information, without confirmation that a destructive tsunami is underway. There is a potential threat to a zone under a tsunami Watch but communities have time to prepare. Emergency management personnel and coastal residents should prepare to take action in case the Watch is upgraded.
Cancellation: A “Cancellation” cancels any previously issued tsunami messages. It is issued when there is no longer observed evidence of tsunami waves at tide gauge stations. Local conditions may differ from those at tide gauge stations and local authorities should determine the safety of coastlines. Once a cancellation has been issued for a tsunami event, EMBC will no longer issue tsunami messages.
Flooding Terms
Flood Warning: Means river levels have exceeded bankfull or will exceed bankfull imminently, and that flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers will result.
Flood Watch: Means river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull. Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur.
High Streamflow Advisory: Means river levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly, but no major flooding is expected. Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible.
Freshet: Term used to describe spring flooding due to snowmelt and rainfall.
In BC and across Canada, emergency alerts are issued using the Alert Ready system. This system allows provinces and territories to issue emergency alerts through TV, radio, and to wireless devices. Learn more about emergency alerts in BC.
When disaster strikes, #hashtags can be used to connect and share information about emergency response and recovery efforts. Common emergency hashtags used in BC include:
#AmberAlert
#BCAvalanche
#BCFlood
#BCHeat
#BCWildfire
#Earthquake
#EmergencyAlertBC
#Evacuation
#Landslide
#StormReady or #BCstorm
#Tsunami
#Volcano
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has also created a list of the most popular hashtags for B.C. communities.
Follow @EmergencyInfoBC on Twitter for the latest emergency information.
For media enquiries related to Emergency Management and Climate Readiness in BC please contact Media Relations 250 880-6430
For media enquiries related to flood warnings, watches and advisories from the River Forecast Centre, please contact the Ministry of Forests media contact: Nigel McInnis at 250-896-4320 or Nigel.McInnis@gov.bc.ca
For media enquiries related to road work, infrastructure and highways, please contact the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure at 250 356-8241.
For media enquiries related to local Declarations of a State of Emergency and Evacuation Orders and Alerts, please contact the local authority issuing the information, available by searching BC Local Governments, First Nations, Improvement Districts and Related Agencies.
River Forecast Centre (Flood Watches & Warnings)
Environment Canada (Public Weather Alerts)
If you would like to receive tsunami email notifications, you can sign up via the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. Through this service, you will receive notifications from the National Tsunami Warning Center regarding events impacting British Columbia. However, please note, you will also receive notifications from the following associated agencies: Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, North West Pacific Tsunami Advisory Center and regional tsunami service providers in India and Indonesia.
The National Tsunami Warning Center (@NWS_NTWC), Natural Resources Canada (@CANADAquakes) and the U.S. Geographical Survey (@USGSted) are also on Twitter. Learn how to sign up for Twitter notifications and other services it provides at Twitter Support.
B.C.’s coastal communities are divided into five notification zones. Know your zone in advance of a tsunami.
- Zone A (North Coast and Haida Gwaii)
- Zone B (Central Coast and Northeast Vancouver Island Coast, including Kitimat, Bella Coola and Port Hardy)
- Zone C (Outer West Coast of Vancouver Island from Cape Scott to Port Renfrew)
- Zone D (Juan de Fuca Strait from Jordan River to Greater Victoria, including the Saanich Peninsula)
- Zone E (Strait of Georgia including the Gulf Islands, Greater Vancouver and Johnstone Strait)
Use our interactive emergency map to see current public safety conditions during emergencies in British Columbia. In the event of a tsunami, affected tsunami notification zones will be highlighted.
