High Ground Hike: Tsunami preparedness event
Last updated on March 13, 2026
High Ground Hikes are community events that educate coastal residents about B.C.’s tsunami risk and provide an opportunity to practice local evacuation routes to high ground. Hikes are held during Tsunami Preparedness Week, which is observed every second full week of April. In 2026, Tsunami Preparedness Week runs from April 12 to 18.
On this page
Steps to preparedness
If you are near the coast when an earthquake occurs, immediately drop, cover, hold on, then move to higher ground to protect yourself from a potential tsunami.
Now it’s time to practice! Check to see if your community is hosting a High Ground Hike event. Join friends, family and community members to run, walk or hike to “high ground.”
Learn more ways to prepare for earthquakes and tsunamis.
Host a High Ground Hike
Want to raise awareness about tsunami preparedness in your community? We invite coastal First Nations and other local governments in areas at risk of tsunamis to host annual High Ground Hikes during Tsunami Preparedness Week.
Benefits of hosting
As a host community, you’ll be able to educate residents and visitors about:
- The local tsunami risk
- Where to get information in the event of a tsunami
- How to prepare for a tsunami
- The designated tsunami evacuation route(s)
- The tsunami-safe location(s)
We’re here to help
The Prepared BC team is here to help you organize your High Ground Hike. We can offer:
- 1 on 1 support to answer your questions about the planning process
- Customized High Ground Hike logo with your community name and event date
- Prizes to encourage participation in your community
- Cross promotion to help spread the word
Self-serve host resources
If you're interested in planning a High Ground Hike, get started with the following promotional materials and resources.
Planning materials
Digital and print materials
High Ground Hike promotional poster:
- 11in x 17in print file (PDF, 62KB)
- 18in x 24in print file (PDF, 63KB)
- to print with desktop computer (JPG, 206KB)
Earthquake and tsunami safety action poster:
Social media package
Help spread the word about Tsunami Preparedness Week and your community’s High Ground Hike by posting the content below directly to your own social media channels! You can also follow PreparedBC on Facebook, Instagram, X and Threads to share our posts.
Instructions for posting
- Copy-and-paste the content below in a new post
- Download, then attach the graphics below
- Option: Add information, photos and hashtags specific to your community
- Double check the links and tagged accounts before you post
Graphics
Social media posts
Facebook, Instagram and Threads posts
Tsunami Preparedness Week is April 12 - 18.
Join us at [MEETING LOCATION] for a High Ground Hike on [DATE] at [TIME] to practice getting to a tsunami-safe location.
Learn more about tsunami preparedness at PreparedBC.ca/Tsunamis
An earthquake could be your warning that a tsunami is coming.
If you’re near the coast and feel the ground shake:
Drop, Cover and Hold On ✔️
When the shaking stops, count to 60 before getting up then IMMEDIATELY move to high ground✔️
Stay there until officials tell you it’s safe. Tsunami waves can last for hours ✔️
Join the High Ground Hike on [DATE] at [TIME] to practice getting to a tsunami-safe location in [COMMUNITY NAME].
Did you know that B.C.’s coast is divided into five tsunami notification zones?
[COMMUNITY NAME] is in zone [ZONE LETTER]. The zones are used by the National Tsunami Warning Center to add location-specific information to tsunami alerts.
Join the High Ground Hike on [DATE] at [TIME] to practice what to do if we’re under a tsunami warning, advisory or watch.
Learn more: PreparedBC.ca/Tsunamis
Prizes! BBQ! Meet rescue services! Activities for all ages and abilities! [ADJUST ACTIVITIES TO REFLECT YOUR EVENT]
Join us for the annual High Ground Hike, a fun tsunami preparedness event for the whole community.
We’ll meet at [LOCATION] and walk to [LOCATION] which is a tsunami-safe location.
See you there!
Learn more about tsunami preparedness at PreparedBC.ca/Tsunamis
It’s Tsunami Preparedness Week!
Get prepared by:
Joining the High Ground Hike on [DATE]✔️
Reading PreparedBC’s Earthquake and Tsunami Preparedness Guide✔️ PreparedBC.ca/Tsunamis
Reviewing (or making!) your home emergency plan ✔️PreparedBC.ca/EmergencyPlan
If you receive a Tsunami Warning, you’ll need to move to high ground quickly.
Having a grab-and-go bag will keep you safe and comfortable after evacuating.
Learn how to build one and where to keep it: PreparedBC.ca/Grab-and-Go
X posts
Tsunami Preparedness Week is April 12 - 18.
Join High Ground Hike on [DATE] at [TIME] to practice getting to a tsunami-safe location.
Learn more: PreparedBC.ca/Tsunamis
If you’re near the coast when an earthquake occurs Drop, Cover, Hold On, then move to high ground.
Join the High Ground Hike on [DATE] at [TIME] to practice getting to a tsunami-safe location. See you there!
#DYK [COMMUNITY NAME] is in tsunami notification zone [ZONE LETTER]?
Join the High Ground Hike on [DATE] at [TIME] to practice what to do if we’re under a tsunami warning, advisory or watch.
Prizes! BBQ! Meet rescue services! Activities for all ages and abilities! [ADJUST ACTIVITIES TO REFLECT YOUR EVENT]
Join the High Ground Hike tsunami preparedness event on [DATE] at [TIME] to practice getting to a tsunami-safe location.
It’s Tsunami Preparedness Week!
Get prepared:
Join the High Ground Hike on [DATE]
Read PreparedBC’s Earthquake and Tsunami Preparedness Guide PreparedBC.ca/Tsunamis
If you receive a Tsunami Warning, you’ll need to move to high ground quickly.
Having a grab-and-go bag will keep you safe and comfortable after evacuating.
Learn how to build one and where to keep it: PreparedBC.ca/Grab-and-Go
Local events
Join a High Ground Hike near you! Known event dates are listed below. The list will be updated as more are confirmed.
- Pacheedaht First Nation
- Bamfield
- Heiltsuk Tribal Council
- Colwood (with Royal Roads University) - April 18
- Gitxaała
- Gold River
- Haisla First Nation
- Huu-ay-aht First Nations - April 15
- Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation
- Kwakiutl First Nation - April 16
- Metchosin
- Nagmis First Nation
- Port Alberni
- Port Clements
- Port Edward
- Port McNeill
- Prince Rupert
- Sooke – April 12
- Stewart
- Tahsis - April 16
- Tofino
- Toquaht Nation
- T'Sou-ke First Nation – April 16
- Ucluelet – April 25
- White Rock – April 15
- Zeballos, Oclucje (Nuchatlaht First Nation), Ehatis (Ehattesaht/Chinehkint First Nation)
If your community is not listed above, please contact your community’s emergency program for more info on how you can get involved with Tsunami Preparedness Week. If you know of an event that is not listed above, let us know at PreparedBC@gov.bc.ca and we’ll add it!
Contact us
If you have any questions about running a High Ground Hike, please email us at PreparedBC@gov.bc.ca.