Responding to Hazards

Local hazards

Every community faces a unique set of risks.

In Kitimat, these risks include:

Severe weather
Infrastructure disruptions
Hazardous materials events
Natural disaster, such as earthquakes

In the event of a major issue or emergency, the District of Kitimat Emergency Plan provides direction for responders to best protect our health, safety and welfare.

Emergency Operations Centre

An Emergency Operations Centre is a management group that forms if directed by the Mayor or the Emergency Executive Committee.

This group does not respond directly to an emergency but is composed of local government officials who support access to resources, coordinate with other agencies, and provides communications and other services during an emergency.

In Kitimat, an EOC will typically form in the Public Safety Building (where the firehall is), but can also be established at Riverlodge Recreation Centre or the Municipal Office.

Evacuations

The District of Kitimat has an evacuation plan if such an action would ever need to be taken.

The plan is a guide for decision-making and actions during an emergency. Each emergency would of course be handled unique to its situation, however there are things to keep in mind for any evacuation:

Before anything else, stay calm.
Look to official sources of information for guidance and details.
Social media is useful but imperfect.
- We will share notices to Facebook and to Instagram. But social media algorithms may not display details chronologically. Take care to ensure you are reading the latest updates.
Subscribe to our Voyent Alert system for notifications directly to your devices.
Know the levels of an evacuation (see below) and take some time to know what your evacuation zone may be.
- Evacuation zones match their neighbourhood names:
  - Whitesail
  - Nechako
  - Kildala
    - Including Strawberry Meadows
  - Cable Car
  - Service Centre

Link: Evacuation Quick Tips (Printable)

Notification Levels of Evacuations

Evacuation Alert - An Evacuation Alert informs the public of a threat of potential or impending danger. This does not mean you need to immediately evacuate an area but you should be preparing for an evacuation.

Evacuation Order - An Evacuation Order means the public has been directed to leave an area immediately. Anyone who voluntarily does not leave cannot expect assistance.

Evacuation Order Rescind - Once a situation is under control, an Evacuation Order Rescind means the public can return to their homes.

Shelter-In-Place - a Shelter-In-Place order means you are safer staying in your home than trying to leave. Safety measures during this time may include sealing or closing any windows, doors, openings, and shut off air-exchange appliances like dryers or fans. Stay in an above-ground room without windows if possible.

For more detailed reading, please see our District of Kitimat Evacuation Plan.

Tsunami Plan

With Kitimat's location directly on the coast, we also have a separate Tsunami Plan to guide the District's reaction to an event.

Some things to know about tsunamis:

Earthquakes, landslides or even volcanic eruptions in certain areas of the world can trigger a tsunami.
Can either be a massive wave hitting the shore or a quickly surging tide.

It is important that you are prepared (Link: Grab and Go Kits and 72-Hour Kits), stay calm if there is ever a tsunami risk and be prepared to evacuate or move to higher ground if necessary.

It is also important not to move closer to waterways (Douglas Channel including Minette Bay, or the Kitimat River for examples) in order to get a closer look or take photos. If there are floodwaters, do not wade through it. There can be hidden dangers.

Tsunami notification levels

Tsunami Information Statement - No threat or a very distant event and a threat is not determined. No need to do anything. Now is a good time to review household emergency plans, 72-hour kits and grab-and-go bags.

Tsunami Watch - At this level, stay alert for more information. There could be tsunami waves but a danger level is not yet known.

Tsunami Advisory - Strong currents are likely. Stay away from the shore.

Tsunami Warning - Flood wave is possible, you may be directed to evacuate. Stay far away from shore and waterways.

Read our full Tsunami Plan here.

Tsunami alert graphic from Government of BC website. Link.

What to do and not do
Do	Don't
Stay calm	Do not panic!
Be prepared to evacuate to higher ground if necessary (Grab your 72-hour kit and/or grab-n-go bag)	Do not go closer to the water to watch for a tsunami. This includes to the Douglas Channel, Minette Bay, and the Kitimat River.
Move to high ground if necessary, or further in-land if higher ground is not possible.	Do not go to Coghlin Park ('the viewpoint') to watch for possible tsunamis. This could block evacuation routes and cause traffic congestion.
Listen to public alert messaging services. Subscribe to the District of Kitimat Voyent Alert service. Follow the Kitimat.ca's Latest News Follow the District on Facebook. Do not rely on social media from unofficial sources.	Do not wade in floodwaters. Water could be deeper than it appears, and may contain dangerous debris.
If you are at sea, stay there. Boats are generally safer in water deeper than 20 metres. Ships are safest on high seas in water deeper than 100 metres.	Do not look for information from unofficial sources. Information could be wrong, outdated, or include unsafe advice.
Be aware of secondary hazards, such as landslips, flooding, contaminated water, mudflows, damaged buildings, bridges and roads.	If you own a boat, do not attempt to go to a marina to get it.
Save phone calls for emergencies. Phone systems are often down or busy after a disaster. Use text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends.