Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast residents can take part in the Great BC ShakeOut earthquake drill this week.
The annual event promotes earthquake awareness and encourages people to practise what to do during a major quake.
“While potential earthquake hazards depend on your location, everywhere in British Columbia is considered at high risk in relation to the rest of Canada,” reads the ShakeOut BC website. “For example, on January 26, 1700, a magnitude 9 earthquake (similar to the 2011 Tohoku earthquake off the coast of Japan) shook the entire province as well as Washington, Oregon, and California and generated a massive tsunami.”
Residents can register online to take part in the “drop, cover and hold on” drill on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 10:15 a.m.
Participants are also encouraged to review and update their emergency plans and supplies.
The event is organized by the non-profit BC Earthquake Alliance.
The ShakeOut BC website says about 868,000 people took part in B.C. last year.
