IF YOU’RE IN THE GULF ISLANDS DURING A MEGAQUAKE
by William Thomas
Preparedness primarily involves knowing what to do and checking – on foot – at least one evacuation route in advance. Here is what you can expect in the aftermath of a monster earthquake:
No giant tsunamis anticipated. But the sloughing of the Fraser and Howe Sound deltas, as well as shoreside landslips (including entire sections of some Gulf Islands) could send 5-metre waves up the Strait. Though it’s much more likely any gulf waves triggered by seismic waves will be much smaller than this, immediately relocating on foot to higher ground (at least 60-feet above sealevel) is a smart precaution.
No electricity. Expect to be without hydro you can’t produce yourself for at least 6 to 12 months, while rescue and repair efforts are directed to major population centres. In the absence of home generators and fuel to run them, this means no electric pumps for surviving wells and gas bar pumps, and no electric heaters, fridges, freezers or stoves. Affordable 12-volt solar panels and matching controller capable of supplying at least 40 watts can supply LED lights, while recharging digital devices, electric lanterns, flashlights, radios and the deep-cycle batteries needed to store their daylight charge.
Cell phone coverage will be abundantly non-existent, until new towers can be erected over the coming years. Forget landlines. Within a few years, orbiting 5G satellites will provide post-quake mobile coverage. Unless they can be stopped.
Roads blocked by thousands of fallen trees and landslips will remain impassible until local efforts succeed in clearing and repairing them. This means storing and renewing extra gasoline and lubricants for chainsaws now. Essential shoreside access will initially be provided by boats.
Ferry ramps and hydraulic lines warped by undersea shifting and subsidence could be out of service for one year or longer. Even alternative sites capable of handling flatbottom landing craft will be of limited value if the connecting roads, bridges, and overpasses have collapsed.
MUST DO’S:
Store more water. At least one month’s worth (2 litres/day/per person), until other sources can be found or you are evacuated. Replace yearly. A supply of water-purification pills might come in handy. (Do not use chlorine, which forms carcinogenic chloramine in home and municipal water supplies when combined with organic matter.)
Even if you anticipate eventually relocating inland, put away at least six-months’ worth of canned and bulk food. (BC First Nations and the Quakers recommend having a year’s food supply on hand at all times.)
You cannot remain where you are if you do not have a safe, accessible stash of life-critical medications. Stock up now and renew as necessary.
If you are addicted to anything, either gather more now or be prepared to “get clean” during stressful times.
Be happy you live in such a caring and competent community.
SIDEBARS:
Waiting For The Really Big One On The BC Coast
How Big Is Really Big On Richter’s Scale?
Earthquake Highlights 2018 & July 2019
How To Deal With An Earthquake