News Release
For immediate release

Saanich, BC – The District of Saanich is encouraging residents to take simple, practical steps to be emergency prepared during Tsunami Preparedness Week. This annual awareness week—organized by the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness—is a timely reminder to check your household plan, build or refresh your emergency kit, and make sure everyone in your home knows what to do and where to go in the event of an emergency.

“Tsunami Preparedness Week is a great opportunity for residents to take action,” says Saanich Emergency Program Officer Erin Stockill. “Even small steps—like confirming your meeting place, reviewing evacuation routes, and restocking supplies—can make a real difference. Many people are surprised to learn that much of Saanich is outside the tsunami hazard zone. And for the areas that are within it, getting to safety is often straightforward—such as moving a few blocks inland from the beach, like at Cordova Bay. If you live or spend time in a tsunami hazard zone, we encourage you to practice your evacuation route on foot or by bike with family or friends.”

Know your risk: try the tsunami tool

Residents can learn whether their home, workplace, or favourite beach is within a tsunami hazard zone by using the Capital Region Tsunami Information Portal. This interactive tool allows users to enter an address anywhere in the Capital Region to see whether it is located inside or outside a tsunami hazard zone. It also includes information about recent earthquakes in and around the capital region. Knowing the risk where you live, work, and play can help you make informed choices and plan ahead.

Emergency preparedness speaker series

The Saanich Emergency Program organizes informative presentations to help residents build their preparedness knowledge and confidence. Community members are invited to attend:

Date: May 13, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Saanich Commonwealth Place (4636 Elk Lake Drive)

To learn more and register, visit saanich.ca or call 250-475-7600.

To get started on your preparedness journey and learn more about the Saanich Emergency Program, visit saanich.ca/prepare and follow @SaanichEP and @SaanichFire on X (formerly Twitter).

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Media contact:
Saanich Communications
media@saanich.ca