Departments > Victoria Emergency Management Agency > Learn to Protect Yourself from a Tsunami

The vast majority of Greater Victoria is at no threat from a tsunami. However, there is information that everyone should know about tsunamis, particularly if you live, work, or enjoy those areas close to the coastline.

Tsunamis occur on an infrequent basis here, but they are a potentially dangerous hazard that we all need to be aware of and plan for.

About Tsunamis
The most dangerous tsunami threat to Greater Victoria follows a major earthquake. If you feel an earthquake that is strong enough to make it difficult to stand or where the shaking lasts longer than one minute then you should know that a tsunami may have been generated. In this type of event some areas closer to the ocean may lie within the tsunami planning zone and may be at risk. Check the maps below to find your home, place of work, school, or other places you visit regularly and see if they lie within the tsunami planning zone. Move inland out of the tsunami planning zone.

You have about 90 minutes from the end of the shaking until the first series of tsunami waves could arrive here. You do not have to travel far to get to an area of safety. View the brochure below for more information on what else to do in this situation.

This region can also see smaller sized tsunamis that are generated by earthquakes many hundreds of kilometres away. These tsunamis are generated by earthquakes that we can not feel here. This type of tsunami is a potential threat to those on beaches, or those who have seen wave damage to their properties in large winter storms, but these tsunamis are not a threat to other areas inland. View the brochure below for more information on what to else you need to know about this type of tsunami.

Watches/Warnings/Cancellations
If you hear that a tsunami Watch is in place this is your notification that a tsunami threat may exist and you should follow all instructions carefully. Listen to your AM/FM radio for further details.

If you hear that a tsunami Warning is in place this is your notification that a tsunami is expected. Verify that the notice includes this area and if it does move inland to an area that is outside the tsunami planning zone.
If you hear that there is a tsunami Cancellation message this is your notification that there is no tsunami threat to your area.

Tsunami Brochure
For more complete information on the tsunami hazard in this area view the tsunami information brochure here - [PDF 168KB].

Visit the Victoria Emergency Management Agency at 1234 Yates Street to get your hardcopy of this very useful brochure and map. Call 920-3373 for details on other locations where this brochure may be available.

Tsunami Planning Zone Maps
Download the most current tsunami planning maps here:

• Greater Victoria Tsunami Planning Map - [PDF 2.1MB] (Esquimalt, Oak Bay, Saanich, Victoria, View Royal)
• Saanich Peninsula Tsunami Planning Map - [PDF 1.4MB] (Central Saanich, North Saanich, Sidney)
• Saanich Tsunami Planning Map

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