Tsunami Advisory Issued for B.C. as Waves Expected Tonight

UPDATE: As of 7:34 p.m. today, British Columbia’s emergency preparedness agency has escalated a tsunami watch to a full advisory affecting much of the province’s coastline. This decision follows a significant earthquake measuring 8.7 in magnitude that struck in the Pacific Ocean off southeastern Russia.

Authorities report that the quake has triggered a tsunami capable of generating dangerous currents and waves. Reports from both Russia and Japan confirm that tsunamis have already impacted coastal areas. Emergency Info BC has urged local governments in affected regions to implement emergency plans and consider evacuations near marinas, beaches, and coastal zones.

According to the latest updates, waves are anticipated to reach Langara Island at 10:05 p.m. and Tofino by 11:30 p.m. tonight. Residents are advised to remain away from coastal waters, beaches, and harbors. “As waves approach the B.C. coast, multiple waves are expected over time,” the agency cautioned.

The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a lower-level tsunami watch following the earthquake, which is now classified as one of the most powerful recorded globally. The advisory spans from the northern coast of B.C. down to the California border, impacting regions along the North Coast, Haida Gwaii, the Central Coast, and northeastern Vancouver Island, among others.

Emergency Info BC emphasizes the potential dangers, stating, “Currents at beaches and in harbors, marinas, bays, and inlets may be especially dangerous.” They strongly advise against approaching the shore to observe the waves or currents.

Earlier reports confirmed that the earthquake struck at 4:25 p.m. (local time), approximately 136 kilometers southeast of Petropavlovsk in Russia’s Kamchatka region. The quake’s magnitude, if confirmed, would place it among the top ten most powerful earthquakes recorded since 1900 and marks the most significant seismic event since the catastrophic 2011 Tohoku earthquake in Japan.

Residents in coastal areas of B.C. should remain vigilant and prepared to act as emergency instructions evolve. The quake has already triggered tsunami warnings in parts of Japan, Alaska, and Hawaii, with reports of damage and evacuations in Russian regions near the epicenter. Eyewitness accounts from Petropavlovsk describe chaos, with residents rushing into the streets as furniture toppled and buildings shook.

Stay tuned for more updates as authorities continue to monitor the situation. Residents are urged to prioritize safety and heed any further advisories from local emergency services.