SKEENA REGION, B.C. – Emergency Info BC has issued an urgent Tsunami Advisory for the North and Central Coasts of British Columbia, including all coastal communities in the Skeena region, following a powerful offshore earthquake that has prompted alerts across the Pacific.
The advisory covers two key notification zones in the region:
- Zone B: Which includes Kitimat, Bella Coola, and surrounding central coast communities.
- Zone A: Which includes Prince Rupert, Port Edward, Haida Gwaii, Stewart, Lax Kw’alaams, and other North Coast communities.
A Tsunami Advisory means that a tsunami wave that could cause strong currents and surges is expected. These currents can be dangerous to those in or near the water. Widespread inundation of land is not expected for an advisory, but coastlines, harbours, and inlets are considered dangerous.
Official Instructions for Residents
If you are in any of the affected zones, you are advised to:
- MOVE OUT OF THE WATER, OFF BEACHES, AND AWAY FROM HARBOURS, MARINAS, BAYS, AND INLETS.
- DO NOT go to the shoreline to watch for the tsunami wave.
- STAY ALERT and monitor updates from local officials and Emergency Info BC.
- Do not return to coastal areas until the advisory has been officially lifted.
Powerful Quake Triggers Pacific-Wide Alert
The advisory was triggered by a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands at approximately 7:15 p.m. PDT this evening. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake’s epicenter was at a relatively shallow depth, which increases the potential for tsunami generation.
The powerful quake has prompted alerts across the northern Pacific Ocean, with tsunami warnings also having been issued for coastal areas of Russia’s Far East. For the B.C. coast, the potential arrival time and strength of the initial waves are still being calculated by emergency officials.
This is a developing situation. Residents in all affected coastal areas are urged to take this advisory seriously and await the “all-clear” from official sources.
