Tsunami Evacuation Plan and Community Assembly Areas

Community Assembly Areas

 Step 1 – DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON during an earthquake

To reduce injury and death during an earthquake, Drop, Cover and Hold On until the shaking stops.

  • DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and also allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if nearby.
  • COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows) Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs.
  • HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

Learn more about ShakeOut recommended earthquake safety actions.

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Step 2 – Immediately Evacuate to the Nearest Community Assembly Area (Higher Ground)

  • If a magnitude 9.0 earthquake occurs along the Cascadia fault, the ground will shake for approximately 5 minutes. After the shaking stops, a series of tsunami waves are predicted to reach Ucluelet within 20 minutes. This is why Ucluelet Emergency Network has created the slogan '20 metres in 20 minutes'.
  • The standard safe evacuation level in Ucluelet is 20 m or 66 ft. Run-up or Splash effects can occur around beaches, bays and valleys.
  • If you feel the ground shaking immediately move to higher ground if you are in a low lying area by walking to the nearest Community Assembly Area with your Grab-and-Go Bag.
  • The following locations are Community Assembly Areas and 20 metres (approximately 66 ft.) or more above sea level:
    1. Tugwell Fields - Raven Parking Lot – elevation is approximately 25m/85 ft. Assemble at the Tugwell ball fields along Pacific CrescentUcluelet Secondary School and Associated Fields – elevation is approximately 27m/90 ft. Assemble at the race track
    2. Ucluelet Secondary School Field – elevation is approximately 27m/90 ft. Assemble at the race trackCoast Guard Road High Site Area – elevation is approximately 24m/80 ft. Assemble at the Wild Pacific Trail parking lot along Coast Guard Drive (parking lot in the forest)
    3. Coast Guard Rd - Whale Parking Lot – elevation is approximately 24m/80 ft. Assemble at the Wild Pacific Trail parking lot along Coast Guard Drive (parking lot in the forest)
  • Remain in the Community Assembly Area until District Authorities advise you can leave higher ground and go to the Secondary School for information and assistance or return home. While travelling be aware of hazards such as downed power lines, debris, damaged roadways and unstable buildings.
  • If you are 20 metres above sea level, stay where you are.

Keep In Mind the average speed of a good walk is 3 mph or 5 km/hr, or 1 km in 12 minutes, so walking 500 m uphill might take 15 - 20 minutes if you are carrying things.

Remember - if you feel the ground shaking for approximately 5 minutes, you will have approximately 20 minutes to get to high ground before the first tsunami wave hits the coast. A tsunami may have more than one wave, the first wave may not be the largest and tsunami wave activity may last 24 hours or longer.

Be prepared, view the Prepared BC's Earthquake and Tsunami Guide  and Ucluelet's Earth-Tsunami Brochure.

For more information about Ucluelet's Tsunami Evacuation Plan and Community Assembly Areas please contact Fire Chief Rick Geddes at rgeddes@ucluelet.ca.