Tsunami warning for BC cancelled after magnitude 7.9 Alaska earthquake
The US Tsunami Warning System and Emergency Management BC have called off a tsunami warning for all of coastal British Columbia after a powerful magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck the coast of Alaska early this morning.
The undersea earthquake struck at 1:31 am PST at a depth of 25 km in an area about 280 km southeast of Kodiak, Alaska. It prompted government authorities to issue a tsunami warning for the state of Hawaii and all coastal areas from Alaska to northern Washington State.
Tue Jan 23 12:42:38 UTC 2018 event picture pic.twitter.com/yRyGikpdVj
— NWS Tsunami Alerts (@NWS_NTWC) January 23, 2018
As of 6:20 am PST, about two dozen aftershocks between magnitudes 4 and 5.3 have been detected near the epicentre of the main seismic event.
Shortly after the earthquake, warning sirens went off in communities vulnerable to tsunamis, including Tofino where the first wave was scheduled to arrive at 4:40 am PST. Local officials urged those near water to seek higher ground immediately.
Photos posted on social media show an evacuation centre in Tofino filled with evacuees ahead of the scheduled arrival of the first wave.
Listen as sirens ring out over Kodiak, #AK. A #Tsunami Warning is in effect after a 7.9 #earthquake was recorded about 175 miles southeast of #Kodiak. Officials are asking those in the affected coastal cities to move to higher ground. Get more alerts here: @NWS_NTWC pic.twitter.com/QEAnaj8VfM
— AMHQ (@AMHQ) January 23, 2018
UPDATE: Estimated Time of #Tsuanmi Activity in #Tofino is 440AM PST.
— Tofino Emergency (@TofinoEmergency) January 23, 2018
First Street packed with overflow parking for Community Hall evacuation centre. #Tofino #tsunami warning pic.twitter.com/uOJKc1VvWZ
— greg blee (@greg_blee) January 23, 2018
Good to see more and more people here at @TofinoEmergency muster centre. Goal is 100% of town AND GUESTS. Spread the word and follow the evacuation routes, first wave is due at 03:40! #Tofino #Tsunami pic.twitter.com/fTcF03KsNA
— Catherine Lempke (@Cat_Lempke) January 23, 2018
The City of Victoria also asked residents living within two blocks from the water to evacuate to areas farther inland, away from low-lying coastal areas.
A #TsunamiWarning is in effect. If you are less than two blocks from the water, move farther inland. Waves are expected to arrive in the area at 5:50 am. https://t.co/BuJX96vBje
— City of Victoria (@CityOfVictoria) January 23, 2018
The City of Vancouver was not part of the tsunami warning.
#tsunami No tsunami warning for Vancouver.
— City of Vancouver (@CityofVancouver) January 23, 2018
Shortly after 4 am, the tsunami warning for coastal BC was downgraded to a tsunami advisory. Similar warnings for other areas were also cancelled at around the same time.
Near the epicentre, coastal water levels increased by only about three feet in the Kodiak area – 90 minutes after the first wave was scheduled to hit.
“A tsunami warning on the Coast of B.C. has now been cancelled,” reads a statement issued by Mike Farnworth, the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
“Overnight, several communities along the coast activated their emergency plans and evacuated those at risk. Emergency Management BC activated the Provincial Emergency Co-ordination Centre, and five provincial regional operations centers. The agency also supported local governments to evacuate residents. Although the tsunami warning was eventually suspended, this event demonstrates that coast warning systems do work.”
Farnworth added that residents should refrain from calling 911 for information on the tsunami. Such calls to emergency services should only be made if your life is at stake.
“In the event of a future tsunami warning, stay calm, stay safe; listen to your local officials and head to higher ground,” he added.
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