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High Ground Hike: Tsunami preparedness event

Last updated on April 11, 2024

Banner image for the High Ground Hike event

High Ground Hikes are community events held during Tsunami Preparedness Week (the second full week of April each year). The goal is to raise awareness about B.C.'s tsunami risk and give people along the coast an opportunity to practice reaching a tsunami-safe location. 

On this page:

Steps to preparedness

If you are near the coast when an earthquake occurs, immediately drop, cover, hold on and 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” in your community.

Learn more ways to prepare for earthquakes and tsunamis.

Image showing: drop, cover and hold on. go to high ground. Stay there to ensure a tsunami isn't coming.

 

Tsunami Preparedness in British Columbia

A video that describes Tsunami Preparedness week

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 local tsunami risk 
  • The designated tsunami evacuation route(s) 
  • The tsunami-safe location(s) 
  • Where to get information in the event of a tsunami  
  • The designated tsunami evacuation route(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
  • Printed copies of the following host resources:
    • High Ground Hike promotional poster (11 x 17 or 18 x24)
    • Earthquake and tsunami safety action poster (11 x17 or 18 x 24)

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:

Earthquake and tsunami safety action poster:

Route markers:

2024 events

Join a High Ground Hike in a community near you:

  • Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District – April 14 – 20 – virtual “Know the Zone” contest
  • Bamfield – April 14
  • Colwood – April 19
  • Metchosin – April 15
  • Kwakiutl - April 18
  • Pacheedaht First Nation – April 10
  • Port McNeill – April 19
  • Piers Island – June 30
  • Prince Rupert – April 14 – 20 – virtual #HighGroundSelfiePR contest
  • Salt Spring Island – April 19
  • Sooke – April 18
  • Stewart – April 14
  • Tahsis – April 17
  • Tofino – April 13
  • Toquaht Nation (Macoah community) – April 17
  • Ucluelet – April 14
  • Vancouver (Nature Kids BC) – June 11
  • White Rock – April 16
  • Zeballos, Nuchatlaht First Nation and Ehattesaht Chinehkint First Nation – April 18

Contact us

If you have any questions about running a High Ground Hike, please email us at PreparedBC@gov.bc.ca.