National

ShakeOutBC earthquake drill

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 19 Oct, 2023 01:33 PM

Thousands of people across B-C dropped, covered and held on this morning -- as they took part in the annual ShakeOutBC earthquake drill.

The event -- at 10:19 a-m -- simulates an earthquake response and is a key part of provincial efforts to raise awareness about what to do in the moments, hours and days after an earthquake strikes.

The day has come, BC!

⏰ Today, we showcase our preparedness, our unity, and our resilience.

At 10:19AM, hundreds of thousands will come together to “Drop, Cover & Hold On.”
Remember, it's more than a drill—it's our commitment to safety. #ShakeOutBC #DropCoverHoldOn pic.twitter.com/6hRNcPQH3N
— ShakeOutBC (@ShakeOutBC) October 19, 2023

Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma says although most quakes in B-C are too small to feel, the province has about three-thousand shakers every year and it's just a matter of time before a major one hits.

There are 3000 earthquakes a year in BC & many British Columbians live in #earthquake zones. Practice how to Drop, Cover & Hold-On during the @ShakeOutBC drill today...

... and visit https://t.co/GyFbm5DNXm to learn how to build an emergency kit to keep you and your family safe. pic.twitter.com/tg4O9Xb6ZZ
— Bowinn Ma (@BowinnMa) October 19, 2023

She says practising earthquake preparedness, including creating a home emergency plan and building an emergency kit, are actions that can keep everyone as safe as possible.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Vancouver council approves zoning to allow multiplex units in most neighbourhoods

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says the city has taken a "huge step" toward "housing attainability" by approving multiplex units in single-family neighbourhoods, but critics of the plan argue the step is little more than a shuffle. Councillors unanimously endorsed a motion Thursday night that creates a single residential zone across most of the city, clearing the way for what supporters call "missing middle" housing.

Vancouver council approves zoning to allow multiplex units in most neighbourhoods

No illicit drugs in parks

The B-C government's drug decriminalization policy has changed to make it illegal to possess illicit drugs near playgrounds, water parks and skate parks. The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions says the change is intended to keep drugs and drug users away from what it calls "child-focused spaces," adding to the existing list of excluded spaces that includes schools and childcare facilities.

No illicit drugs in parks

B.C. to end state of emergency as wildfire risk winds down

The British Columbia government says it is ending the state of emergency imposed last month when thousands of residents were chased out of their homes by wildfires. The government says in a statement the wildfire risk is diminishing in much of the province as temperatures cool, allowing most residents to return home.

B.C. to end state of emergency as wildfire risk winds down

DNA match in Ibrahim Ali murder case as exact as identical twins, B.C. court is told

An RCMP expert testifying at Ibrahim Ali's murder trial told the court she has never seen a DNA match as close as the one between the suspect and samples found on his alleged victim — except for DNA matches between identical twins. Forensic biologist Christine Crossman said police investigators were very thorough in their collection and testing of genetic samples from the body of the 13-year-old girl, whose identity is protected by a publication ban.

DNA match in Ibrahim Ali murder case as exact as identical twins, B.C. court is told

Ex-B.C. police chief to investigate release of suspect before Chinatown stabbing

Former Abbotsford police chief Bob Rich has been appointed to look into the release of a man from British Columbia's psychiatric hospital before the man allegedly stabbed three people in Vancouver's Chinatown. Premier David Eby said Thursday that he has read the BC Review Board report on the accused and wants Rich to determine how the man could have been released, despite being a "really significant danger to the public."

Ex-B.C. police chief to investigate release of suspect before Chinatown stabbing

Federal government will remove GST on new rental housing builds, senior source says

A senior government source says Ottawa is planning to remove the G-S-T on construction of new rental apartment buildings. The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to make the announcement today as he wraps up a three-day Liberal caucus retreat in London, Ontario.