Questions are being raised about the B.C. government's response to the weekend earthquake off the northwest coast after officials took an hour to issue a tsunami warning.
The 7.7 magnitude quake struck at 8:04 p.m. PT Saturday, eventually triggering tsunami warnings along the West Coast of Canada and the U.S. and as far away as Hawaii.
But it was 8:55 p.m. by the time Emergency Management B.C. was able to issue its first tsumami warning on Twitter, long after U.S. warnings had been issued at 8:13 p.m. PT and news stations had already begun reporting on the earthquake.
While there were no reports of large waves, injuries or major damage in the end, some local officials, including Tofino's mayor, say the flow of information was slow, prompting them to put their own plans into action.
In Prince Rupert, several hundred kilometres from the epicentre, some people complain they heard no emergency messages to seek higher ground.
In the village of Tlell, on Haida Gwaii, Dutes Dutheil said he and his neighbours did not get enough information about what was happening.
"We still have no news, other than turning on the TV or radio — but if there's no power?" he said.
"There has to be some better way of communicating to people if there's an emergency and they have to evacuate," said Dutheil.
Officials pleased with response
Kelli Kryzanowski, the province's manager of strategic initiatives for Emergency Management B.C., said she was pleased with the way local governments and individuals reacted to the quake and the tsunami threat.
The agency activated nine operations centres and sent out thousands of voice calls, emails, and faxes to first responders, she said.
But Kryzanowski promised a review will be conducted.
"After these types of events we always do an analysis and have discussion about what will be the best ways to further enhance. So at this point we're just doing the post mortem on this, figuring, looking at what went well, some of the lessons we can learn, and then those discussions will take place down the road," Kryzanowski said.
Justice Minister Shirley Bond also said overall she's pleased with the response of emergency officials and local governments, but added that she won't offer her own assessment of the response until after the review is complete.
Bond also said that at least one government system may have had technical difficulties.
Prepare yourself, say experts
Meanwhile experts and politicians are urging British Columbians to consider the weekend earthquake off the coast of Haida Gwaii as a wake-up call to make their own prepartions.
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson is urging people to ensure homes and businesses are prepared.
He also says there is still work to be done to make government buildings and schools quake-resistant — in a region that is overdue for a major shaker.
"A real focus needs to happen for residents and businesses to be ready for the big one. This was a real warning, definitely a wake-up call for everybody in Vancouver that we need to be ready for the big one," said Robertson
There have been more than 30 aftershocks since the initial quake hit. Just before noon Sunday a 6.3 magnitude quake hit just west of Sandspit, on Haida Gwaii.
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