Residents of Port Renfrew, Pacheedaht First Nation and Jordan River Regional Park are being advised they may hear loud intermittent warning sirens between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday as the tsunami warning system undergoes scheduled maintenance.
The system is designed to alert residents of the imminent arrival of a tsunami or giant wave. Often caused by undersea earthquakes, tsunamis can take anywhere from minutes to hours to hit the shore, depending on how far offshore the earthquake takes place.
In B.C., there are five tsunami notification zones: north coast and Haida Gwaii; central coast and northeast Vancouver Island; west coast of Vancouver Island from Cape Scott to Port Renfrew; Juan de Fuca Strait from Jordan River to Greater Victoria (including the Saanich Peninsula); and the Strait of Georgia (including the Gulf Islands).
If you live in a tsunami notification zone, a tsunami warning would be broadcast across television, radio and compatible mobile devices. Some communities also reach out to affected residents via social media, phone, text message or door knocking.
Beginning June 1, sirens in tsunami zones will be tested with the Westminster Chimes tone at 1 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. Sirens are also silently tested each day by running an electrical current through the system, but without the sirens attached.
The Capital Regional District co-ordinates local emergency programs for Juan de Fuca, Southern Gulf Islands and Salt Spring Island electoral areas. Residents in those areas can register to receive public alert notifications at crd.bc.ca/pans.
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