Natural hazards: staying safe

1. Start with a plan your family can really use

Start with your address and your family's needs

First, go to the website of your municipal government, regional government or Indigenous government and look for Emergency Management. Find out what hazards your address may face, how to get local alerts, and what routes you can use to leave. If you live by the ocean, check for tsunamis. If you live near a river or in a low-lying area, check for floods. If you live near forest, also check for wildfires. Do not judge only by whether you have lived through it before. And do not decide you are safe just because other people's homes were fine.

Agree on two places with your family: where you will meet after you leave home, and a backup place in case that area is also unsafe. Also choose a relative or friend who does not live in the same affected area to be your contact person, and write their number on paper. If a phone is lost, the battery dies or the network is busy, the information on paper can still help. Families without a car should plan their evacuation transport ahead of time. Do not wait until an Order comes and then send a group message asking "Who can come and pick me up?"

Write down clear plans for pick-up, care and pets

If a disaster happens while children are at school or child care, confirm ahead of time who can pick them up for you and who the school will accept. Older people, people with limited mobility and people who need help communicating should take part in making their own plan: how they can move safely, where the walker or wheelchair is kept, and who else they can contact if their caregiver has not arrived. Do not assume, without talking it over, that "just carry them out in an emergency" works for everyone.

Medicines, medicines that must be kept cold, hearing aids, power wheelchairs and breathing support equipment each have their own needs. Bring your questions to your health care providers, equipment supplier or health authority ahead of time. Explain that you might lose power, roads might be cut off, or you might have to leave home. Prepare a backup plan based on your real needs. Do not decide on your own to change a dose, stop a medicine, or guess how long a machine's battery will last. Pets also need a plan for transport, food and care. Ask whether the place you plan to go can take them. Do not wait until you reach a reception centre to find out there is nowhere for them.

Household emergency supplies are for when you stay in a safe home. A grab-and-go bag is what you take when you have to leave. Plan by the number of people, babies and young children, diet limits, medicines, pets and storage space. Do not treat one standard shopping list as a guarantee that it is enough for every family. For a detailed contact form and how to sort your supplies, see the "Family emergency preparedness" guide. You can build up supplies step by step. But do not keep "what to do" only on one phone.

2. Know the three types of evacuation notice, and check your address on the map

Evacuation Alert: be ready to leave at any time. At this stage, first arrange transport, your grab-and-go bag, medicines, pets and the people who need help, and keep watching for instructions. Do not take it to mean "there is no order yet, so I do not need to do anything."

Evacuation Order: leave now. Leave by the route and to the destination set by local officials. Do not wait until you see fire or water at your door. When danger grows quickly, police may tell people to leave immediately, with no time for an Alert or a written notice first.

Evacuation Rescinded: the evacuation notice has been lifted. First confirm that it covers your address, then follow the instructions for going home. Lifting an order for an area does not mean every building has already been checked for structural, electrical and drinking water safety.

Tsunami Warning, Advisory and Watch are a different set of hazard notices. They are explained one by one below. All clear means local officials have told people it is safe to return. "Nothing new online" does not take its place. Weather warnings, air quality notices and river level warnings also do not automatically mean there is an evacuation order for your address. When you read each message, look at who sent it, when, which area it covers and what action it asks you to take. Do not go by the English headline alone.

Public Alert Ready alerts do not need registration, but local phone, text or email alert systems may need you to sign up separately. Your phone must be compatible and connected to a suitable cellular network. Network outages, device settings or coverage problems can all affect whether you get a message. When you get an alert, also check the area, because a cell tower's coverage can reach beyond the actual danger zone. Save your local official websites and a paper map ahead of time. In an emergency, use radio, local notices, EmergencyInfoBC and instructions on the scene together. Do not take a silent phone as proof that you are safe.

3. Earthquakes: protect yourself while it shakes, check your surroundings once it stops

Before: reduce what can fall over or fall down

Secure tall bookcases, cabinets and large furniture. Do not hang heavy mirrors or heavy picture frames that could fall above beds, sofas and chairs. Check whether cupboard doors could easily shake open and whether large appliances are stable. Leave anything involving gas or professional installation to the right people. If you live in an apartment, you can check the building's emergency plan with your landlord, property manager or strata council. You still need to make your own family plan.

In the rooms where you spend the most time, find the nearest cover and practise Drop, Cover and Hold On. Practising ahead can be a few minutes of simple movement. It does not need to be frightening. Make sure your family knows that an earthquake early warning is sent as fast as possible after an earthquake has already started. It is not a prediction. People close to the centre of the earthquake may feel shaking before they get the alert.

During shaking: take cover nearby, do not cross the room to find the "best spot"

If you get an earthquake early warning, or you already feel shaking, Drop, Cover and Hold On right away. Indoors, first get down low and protect your head and neck. Get under a sturdy table nearby and hold on. Do not wait for the shaking to get stronger before you act. If there is no cover nearby, keep protecting your head and neck and crawl a short distance to the nearest inside wall or inside corner. Do not run outside or into another room, and do not use the elevator. In a store, if you must move away from tall shelves because things may fall, get down low first and crawl only to a nearby safer spot. Do not run through crowds.

Wheelchair users should lock their wheels, stay where they are, and protect their head and neck with their arms, a pillow or something similar. They do not need to force themselves onto the floor. If you are in bed, stay in bed and protect your head. Outdoors, also get down low first and protect your head and neck. Stay away from buildings, trees, power lines and signs. Only move to a nearby open area if it is safe, and do not run. If you are driving, pull over safely, away from bridges, overpasses and power lines, and wait until the shaking stops. If a power line falls on your vehicle, do not rush to open the door and get out.

After: watch for aftershocks, and do not treat "get out" as the answer for everyone

First look out for things around you that are still unstable, broken glass and fallen objects, then move carefully. If an aftershock comes, protect yourself the same way again. If your home is badly damaged and unsafe, take your grab-and-go bag if it is close at hand and go somewhere safe. Do not go into a dangerous room to get the bag. If your home is still safe, stay home and use your emergency supplies. You may not need to crowd onto the street or into a reception centre. If you are on the coast, follow the next section and move to high ground as fast as you can. Do not wait in a low area for general news.

Do not go into a clearly damaged building "just to take a look", and do not turn gas back on yourself after it has been shut off. For immediate danger such as serious injury, fire or someone trapped, call 911. For questions such as how strong the earthquake was, whether there will be more, and which roads are closed, check official updates. When you tell people you are OK, say clearly whether you are safe, where you are and where you will go next. Try to have your relatives and friends all use the same way to reach you.

4. Tsunamis: on the coast, go to high ground after an earthquake, do not go to the shore to watch the waves

Before: knowing your route is more useful than memorizing an elevation number

Check your tsunami notification zone. Then ask your local government for the tsunami evacuation map, routes and high ground for your community. B.C. coastal zones are very large. Streets in the same notification zone will not all have exactly the same route. Do not decide whether you are safe based on "my home looks far from the ocean" or on an old map someone forwarded.

Ahead of time, walk with your family a route you can really manage. Think about how you will handle hills, stairs, wheelchairs, children and pets. When you travel, camp or stay at a hotel by the ocean, also ask about the local evacuation plan first. People who can walk should walk as fast as they can, which helps reduce traffic jams. People who need help with transport should arrange it ahead of time, instead of trying alone in an emergency to walk a route they cannot manage.

At the time: protect yourself from the earthquake first, then evacuate by your route once the shaking stops

If you are on the coast, protect your head and neck during an earthquake. As soon as the shaking stops, go right away to the high ground set by local officials. Do not wait for a tsunami alert on your phone, and do not go home to pack. If you have no map, plan or cell service, move as high as you can, or inland away from the water. Do not stop on a beach, at a harbour or on the shore to film or watch the water. Do not go back to check on boats or belongings.

A tsunami also has natural warning signs: the sea suddenly pulls back in an unusual way or rises quickly, or there is an unusual roar from the sea like a train or a plane. If you notice any one of these, you may need to get to safety right away. Do not first walk closer to the shore to check or take photos, or wait for a text message. If the ground is shaking, protect yourself first; as soon as it stops, go to the high ground set by local officials. If there is no shaking but you see these clear signs, also move away from the water to high ground right away. You may get only an official alert or only a natural warning sign. You do not need to wait for both.

A tsunami caused by a faraway earthquake may come with an official alert first. A Warning means tsunami flooding may happen. Follow local evacuation instructions. An Advisory warns that there may be dangerous strong currents. Stay away from the shore. A Watch means the level of danger is not yet known. Keep watching and be prepared. Do not read all three as the same message, "a tsunami is coming". And do not go to the shore to watch just because the notice only says Advisory.

Afterwards: wait on high ground for the local All clear

A tsunami may not be just one wave. The danger can last for hours. Once you are on high ground, stay there until local officials announce it is safe to return. The first wave passing, the sea becoming calm, or seeing other people head back are not reasons to go home. After the alert is cancelled, still confirm that your local area is safe. On the way back, keep to the set route. Do not cross damaged roads or flooded places on your own.

5. Wildfires and smoke: be ready to evacuate, and protect your breathing and body temperature

Before fire season: prepare your home, your vehicle and a place with clean air

Use the FireSmart home assessment to check your home and the area around it. Find the things that can burn and the weak spots you need to deal with ahead of time. Ask local professionals if needed. Fire preparation should be done in normal times. Do not wait until the fire is close to climb onto the roof, move large items or try to defend your house. Before using fire outdoors, check the bans and restrictions in place at that time. Before you leave a campsite, make sure your fire is completely out. Do not take an old notice that allowed fires to mean you can still light one today.

Keep a grab-and-go bag at home. Confirm the transport, caregivers and pet plans you can use. Save your insurance contact information. In normal times, ask what conditions apply to fire damage and to temporary living costs after an evacuation order. Do not assume government help or an insurance payment will come. Older people, children and people with heart or lung disease should also find a cool place with cleaner air ahead of time, and prepare the medicines they normally need, following the plan their health care providers have already given.

Fire nearby: follow local orders, do not wait until you see a wall of fire

BC Wildfire Service gives information about the fires. Whether your street must evacuate, and where to go, mainly comes from your local government or Indigenous government. If you get an Alert, be ready to leave at any time. If you get an Order, leave right away by the set route. Do not go back for things, and do not stay to try to save your property. If you have a health condition or trouble getting around, tell the staff who deliver the evacuation order what help you need.

In B.C., if you see a wildfire, smoke or an unattended campfire, call 1-800-663-5555 from a safe place. From a cell phone, you can dial *5555 (star, then four 5s). Say where it is, what fire or smoke you see, and whether it threatens people or buildings. Do not go closer to take photos. If someone's life is in danger right now, someone is trapped or immediate rescue is needed, call 911. The wildfire reporting line is not a hotline for checking whether your home is under evacuation.

Smoke alone still needs action, but do not confuse it with an evacuation order

Use local air quality information to cut down on outdoor activity, and especially avoid hard exercise. Indoors, you can use a HEPA air cleaner that suits the room. Try to reduce indoor pollution such as smoking and candles. You can also go to a public indoor place that is open and has cleaner air. If you feel unwell, contact a health care provider soon. For emergencies such as trouble breathing, a chest emergency or changes in consciousness, call 911. Do not wait for the air to get better.

Avoiding smoke must not come at the cost of overheating. If your home keeps getting hotter after you close the windows, especially if older people, babies and young children or frail people live with you, move to a place that is cool and has cleaner air. Do not keep watching the air quality index while staying in a dangerously hot room. If you need to go out, a suitable, well-fitted particle-filtering respirator can reduce how much of the smoke you breathe in, but it does not stop all of it. Do not use it as a reason to go into a fire area or to delay evacuating. If you get an Order, you must still leave right away.

Returning home: the fire is out, but there are still problems with buildings, ash and water

Wait until officials allow you to return. Use the set route and do not take shortcuts. When you get home, first look at the building safety notice. Some allow entry, some limit entry and some forbid entry. If you find damaged power lines, a smell of gas, parts of the building that could fall, or serious contamination, do not go in to check by yourself. Gas, electrical equipment and damaged systems should be handled by the right professionals.

Check drinking water, food in the fridge, ash and dirt separately. Do not assume that having power and water again means things are safe. Watch for local drinking water notices. Before cleaning up, find out what records your insurance company needs. When it is safe, take photos, list your losses, and keep receipts for temporary housing and necessary costs. Keep children and pets out of the cleanup area. Wildfires can also make hillsides and soil less stable. When heavy rain comes later, watch for flood, landslide and road closure notices.

6. Floods: protect against water early, do not test the road once water comes

Before: protect your documents first, and leave equipment changes to the right people

Check the flood risk for your address, and learn your evacuation routes and local information sources. Put important documents, medicine information and small valuables up high or in waterproof containers. In normal times, maintain gutters and drains and clear anything blocking them. If electrical equipment, drainage, a backwater valve or large systems need changes, have the right people assess them. Do not take things apart in a hurry by following an online video.

If you rent and notice repeated leaks, blocked drains or a damp basement, tell your landlord or property manager and keep a record of your communication. This cannot guarantee you will not flood, but it helps problems that need fixing get noticed early. In normal times, ask your insurer how your home is covered for flooding and for sewer backup, one by one. Do not wait until something happens to find out they are not the same coverage. Keep your grab-and-go bag where it is easy to reach, not in the corner most likely to flood first.

Rising water: a flood warning and an evacuation order are not the same thing

The River Forecast Centre gives warnings about river and stream levels. Local governments or Indigenous governments give evacuation plans for specific areas. When you see a flood warning, get ready and keep watching. Do not wait until water blocks your door just because you have not yet received an evacuation message on your phone. If you get an Order, leave right away by the set route. Roads that may be closed or flooded are not shortcuts.

Do not walk or drive through floodwater, flooded roads, rivers or fast-moving water. You cannot see whether the road under the water has collapsed, or whether there are hidden currents, debris or power lines. An SUV does not make that road safe either. If water is already inside your home, do not walk through it to switch off the electrical panel or unplug appliances. Safely moving things before a disaster is very different from going back in to move things once the water has come. If you are trapped, someone is hurt or a life is in immediate danger, call 911, say clearly where you are and follow the rescue instructions.

After the water goes down: first decide whether you can go inside, then think about cleaning

Even after officials confirm you can go back, still check for structural, electrical and gas risks. If there is still floodwater in or around the house, or the walls or floors are bent out of shape, do not go in. Do not plug in and test equipment that has been under water. Have a licensed electrical or gas worker check it. For a lot of water in the basement, structural damage or mould problems, get professional help. Do not push to "pump it out as fast as possible" on your own.

Mould can hide in carpets, behind walls and inside furniture. Children, older people, pregnant people, pets and people with related health problems should stay away from areas where mould is being cleaned. Do not use fans that blow mould everywhere, and do not paint over it as if that fixes it. Renters should tell their landlord. Condo owners should first work with the property manager or strata council. When it is safe, record your losses and contact your insurer. If food or medicine has been contaminated by floodwater, deal with each according to health advice, a pharmacist and local disposal guidance. Do not keep using it just because the package looks undamaged.

7. Heat: it can be dangerous indoors too, do not just try to tough it out

Before hot weather: find a cool place, check the indoor temperature, arrange check-ins

At home, first find the coolest room and get a thermometer you can read easily. Check ahead of time whether your air conditioner works and whether curtains can block the sun. If you do not have air conditioning or your home gets very hot, first find a cool place you can go, for example a relative's or friend's home or a public indoor space that is already open, and arrange transport. Do not just remember the name of a place. Also check whether it is open that day, how to get there, and whether it can meet needs for mobility aids and pets.

Older people living alone and people with limited mobility should arrange for someone they trust to check on them. When checking, do not just ask "Are you OK?" You can also ask which room they are in, what the thermometer says and whether they have a cool place to go. If needed, help them move as agreed. Evenings and nights can still be very hot, so do not check only once at noon. People who need to limit fluids, take medicines or have chronic illnesses should ask their health care provider about their own heat plan ahead of time. Do not stop medicines on your own, and do not force yourself to drink a standard amount of water.

When you get a heat alert, take action to cool down right away

As of October 29, 2026, B.C. heat alerts use yellow, orange and red levels. Yellow warns that daytime and nighttime temperatures are clearly high and that you should take cooling steps right away. Orange calls for stronger protection and checking on relatives and friends at high risk. Red means the danger is very high and you should start your extreme heat plan. The day and night temperatures that trigger an alert are different in each region. Do not apply one city's temperature numbers to the whole province. The colours show the level of risk. They do not mean everyone has to leave home. Whether to move to a cool place depends on the home and on the person's real situation.

If you have air conditioning, use it. Cut down activity at midday and during the hottest hours, and block the sun. Only open windows to let air in when it is cooler outside than inside and it is safe to do so. If your home is too hot, move to a cool place. Do not rely on an electric fan as the main heat protection for frail people. Drink fluids regularly and wear light clothing. Do not leave children, adults who need care, or pets alone in a parked vehicle. Opening the windows a little does not solve the risk. When smoke and heat happen at the same time, avoiding overheating comes first. Look for a place that is both cool and has clean air.

Act early if you feel unwell, and keep checking the indoor temperature after the heat wave

If the heat gives you a headache, makes you dizzy or makes you feel unwell, rest in a cool place soon and get the right help. Confusion, fainting or a drop in alertness are emergency signs. Call 911 and, following the call-taker's instructions, cool the person down as fast as possible. Do not delay to work out for yourself whether it is "heat stroke".

When it cools down outside, it gets dark, or the alert ends, it does not mean the inside of your home has cooled. A home that has been hot for several days can keep holding heat, and older or frail people may still feel unwell. Keep checking the indoor temperature and how your family is doing. End your temporary plans only after you confirm it is safe to stay home. Cooling centres may be opened for a short time by local governments, and their hours and locations can change. Before you leave, check the latest notice. Do not take an old event poster as an address you can use today.

8. Wind, snow and power outages: stay warm, take fewer risks, and guard against carbon monoxide first

Before winter: prepare your home and plan for services that may stop

Based on your family's needs, prepare warm clothing, lighting, ways to charge devices, a radio and food you can eat without an electric stove. Have your heating equipment maintained as required, and make sure your CO (carbon monoxide) alarm works. Before strong winds, secure outdoor items that could blow away. If large branches could fall, or there are roof or electrical problems, have the right people deal with them ahead of time. Do not wait until a storm comes and then climb up high.

Agree with someone to help each other in winter, especially people who live alone, have limited mobility or have trouble going out to shop. Think about how buses may stop running, elevators and door entry systems may stop working, and phone, water or power service may be cut off. Families with powered medical equipment should set up backup power and a plan for moving to another place with their equipment supplier and health authority. For medicines that must be kept cold, also ask what to do after a power outage. Do not apply the rules for food in the fridge to medicines.

During wind and snow: if you do not have to go out, wait

Check weather warnings and DriveBC road information. When conditions are bad, cut down on trips you do not need to make. If you must go out, wear warm layers, a windproof outer layer and non-slip shoes. Watch for ice, fallen trees and low-hanging power lines. Do not walk to a dangerous shoreline or under trees to take photos of the snow. Winter preparation for your vehicle depends on the real requirements of the roads you will use. This guide does not give one date as a rule for every road in the province.

For a regular power outage, check with your own power company. If there is a downed line, equipment on fire or a danger to life in front of you, follow emergency steps. If your home can no longer be kept warm safely, or your medical equipment cannot keep running, follow your plan and move to a place that has power, is warm and meets your needs. If there is a medical emergency, call 911. Warming centres are opened by local governments or Indigenous governments. Check the location and hours first. Do not assume every school or gym will take people in.

Heating during a power outage: outdoor fuel-burning equipment must not come inside

Do not use a barbecue, camp stove, gas stove or oven to heat your home. Fuel-powered generators must not run inside your home, garage or shed. Run them outdoors at least 6 metres from buildings, with the exhaust pointing away from doors and windows. Even a generator with automatic CO shut-off is not safe to use indoors. Do not connect a generator to your home's wiring yourself.

You cannot see or smell CO. If the alarm goes off, or you think there may be CO poisoning, go outside into fresh air right away, then call 911. Do not first look for the source, turn off equipment or wait for symptoms. Go back only after professionals have dealt with it and confirmed it is safe. A gas leak, a house fire and CO are not handled the same way. For more complete phone numbers and on-the-spot steps, see the "Staying safe and getting help" guide. Do not take online rules like "in every case, first open the windows, turn on the lights and turn off the gas" as advice that always applies.

After the wind stops and the power comes back: check the ground and your food

Treat fallen, low-hanging or damaged power lines as live, even if there are no sparks or sounds. Stay at least 10 metres away, warn others to keep away, and call 911. Do not touch a vehicle, tree or fence that is touching a power line. If a power line falls on your vehicle, usually stay in the vehicle and wait. Drive away only if you can do it safely. Do not rush out of the vehicle to help others. If a fire in the vehicle forces you to get out, special movements are needed. Follow the 911 call-taker's instructions and look at BC Hydro's official diagrams.

During a power outage, open the fridge and freezer doors as little as possible. When the power comes back, food does not automatically become safe again. Look at how long the power was out, the actual temperature and whether the food was contaminated. Do not judge by smelling or tasting it. Do not move frozen food outside into the snow as a reliable way to keep it frozen. Sunlight and animals also bring risks. Whether the water is safe to drink depends on local notices. Do not take "the water is back on" to mean you can drink it straight from the tap. If you are unsure about any food, throw it out. Do not take a risk to save a little money.

9. After evacuating and after returning home, take things one at a time

If you need temporary food and a place to stay, follow local instructions to contact Emergency Support Services (ESS) or the designated Reception Centre. Staff will ask about your needs and give you information or referrals. Not every evacuee automatically gets the same amount of cash, and you cannot stay at just any school. Tell them how many people are in your family and about any needs for children, mobility aids, medical equipment and pets, so staff know your real difficulties.

Once you are allowed to go home, first check whether you can use the roads and go into the building. Next check water, power and gas, and drinking water and food. Last, arrange cleanup and repairs. Keep photos you took safely, a list of losses and receipts for costs, and ask your insurer about next steps. Do not go into a dangerous area to collect evidence. For structural, gas or electrical problems, serious contamination or mould that keeps coming back, get the right professionals. Renters and apartment residents also need to work with their landlord or property manager. An alert being lifted means one stage has changed. It is not a guarantee about the inside of every home.

Recovery after a disaster can take days or weeks, a bit at a time. First deal with safety, a place to stay, food and water, medicines and care. Then deal with belongings and documents. If you do not know who to contact next, ask the local designated reception agency to explain. It is normal for family members to feel differently. Not everyone has to get back to their usual routine right away.

10. Three small things you can do today

First, check the main hazards for your address, and save your local alert websites and evacuation map. Second, confirm with your family who will do pick-ups, your meeting place, your backup contact and any special care needs. Third, choose the situation you are most likely to face and practise it: take cover nearby for an earthquake, walk the route to high ground if you live by the ocean, or practise finding your lights and contact information during a power outage. Practising does not mean calling 911, and you do not need to buy everything at once.

We hope these preparations help you feel more sure of yourself: when danger comes, you will know what to protect first and where to go. And when things calm down, you will know how to settle your life back down, one step at a time.

Related reading

• "Staying safe and getting help": how to call 911, what to do about fires, gas leaks and medical problems, and how to use the different help numbers.
• "Family emergency preparedness": turning contacts, pick-ups, care, supplies and emergency information into your family's own plan.
• "Lost outdoors: prevention and survival": getting ready before you go outdoors, and how to get help if you are lost or stuck. Do not use the steps for disasters in the city in place of judging the specific outdoor situation.

Official sources are placed next to the steps they relate to.