The initial wave of relief that washed over many residents living in communities along BC coastlines Tuesday morning, has been replaced with uncertainty for some.
In the wake of a tsunami warning, many people are searching for information on how to better prepare for an impending natural disaster.
The magnitude 7.9 earthquake early this morning near Kodiak, Alaska didn't cause injuries, but the resulting warning rattled nerves.
One CFAX1070 listener 'Ann' who lives in Oak Bay, says no alarm sounded in her neighborhood:
"We didn't hear anything so we were phoning friends, trying to figure out what to do."
Victoria's Mayor Lisa Helps says having effective lines of communication between emergency personal and the public is crucial, and free services like Vic-Alert are key to getting information quickly.
"You can get a text or call to your land line so you will be notified immediately in a situation like this." says Helps.
Vic-Alert was implemented last May, but many residents are just discovering it today, in the wake of the tsunami warning.
The service also alerts you about power outages, gas leaks, AMBER alerts, and local incidents that affect specific areas of Victoria.
It’s a good idea to include the voice recording/call notification when you sign up. A phone call in the middle of the night may wake you - a text likely won't.
Have patience if you're trying to access the Vic-Alert site, it may be slow due to the volume of people signing up.
If you live outside of Victoria, contact your local officials for information.