Last night we had a nice evening cozy by the fireplace, candles burning, watching scary movies (Rosemary's Baby) and shows about haunted houses on the PVR. Apparently we missed the "Second Largest Earthquake to hit Canada Since 1949". Last night at 8pm a 7.7 earthquake hit on the Haida Gwaii Islands, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, about 1000 km from here.
According to news reports we should have had our nickers shaken - we felt nothing. We were oblivious to the Tsunami warning afterward as well, cozy snug in our beds. That is until my slightly senile 80 year old Mother-in-law who lives in Alberta called early Sunday Morning asking about the storm and were we ok. I thought she was talking about Hurricane Sandy on the East Coast as she has quite vague rememberings of geography class from 70 years ago (we live on the West Coast for those not familiar with Canada). She was actually talking about Tsunami warnings and as we were totally oblivious we assured her we were fine.
I got up, put my fuzzy slippers on, and made a cup of tea ready to read my Sunday blogs. Went to check my email and noticed the "7.7 EARTHQUAKE ON BC COAST" headline on yahoo. We missed the BIG ONE! The rest of my morning has been spent looking for cracks in the ceiling and to see if any of my bottle collection got knocked over.
This quake has made me realize that I am unprepared for a large disaster. I can sustain a power outage of 24 hours but any more and things could get ugly. We would not perish from cold as it rarely gets below zero here and we have a ton of blankets and warm clothes left over from previously living in Alberta. I have lots of candles (bit of a candle hoarder really) and fully stocked cupboards but as I mostly cook from scratch our cupboards hold very few items that can be eaten out of the can.
So, this week I am going to spend $50 to create an emergency stockpile of canned goods like tuna, baked beans, chunky soup and canned fruit. Things that could be eaten with only the heat from a candle for a period of four days which they say is the average time it may take to be evacuated or for help to come.
I am also bulking up our first aid kit, but it helps to know we also live within one kilometre of the hospital.
Are you prepared?
you were lucky it wasn't closer to you. We could get by for a few days I guess, as at least we have the wood fire and plenty of wood to burn.
ReplyDeleteMust listen to the news tonight to see what damage there was etc.
Gill
Very little damage - probably because of strong building codes. A good wake up call though.
DeleteOh I am so glad you are ok!
ReplyDeleteBut good to stock up.
We are very lucky in the Uk but you never know do you?
Sft x
Thanks! In Alberta where we used to live the biggest issue were tornadoes which frankly are way more scary. Hubby's Uncles farm was completely wiped out in the 1950s due to tornadoes.
DeleteFunny that you didn't feel a thing all tucked up cozy in your bed:) but thankful also! A few years ago when we lost hydro for 3 days I made an emergency kit in the basement but since then some items have disappeared or been used up. With Hurricane Sandy on her way (yes, she may hit southern Ontario like Hurricane Hazel did back in the 50's it's time to replenish the bottled water and candles. I still have the crank radio and two crank flashlights.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have a crank radio but we have a wireless ipad and a telephone car charger for it due to hubbys business so as long as he is in town we are good - plus we are friends with our neighbor who is a cop so if it was really critical I could find things out that way.
DeleteWe had an earthquake in Buffalo when I was in college. My gold fish died but I slept through it. It was a good story to tell...
ReplyDeletePoor goldfish!
DeleteWe are in Hawaii and were under tsunami warning last night as well due to the quake. Glad to hear that you are safe and didn't have any large disasters.
ReplyDeleteYeah, they put out the Tsunami warnings for Hawaii 48 minutes before British Columbia. Big oops on somebody in the BC government's part, hopefully something that will be looked at.
DeleteGlad to hear you weren't affected xx
ReplyDeleteThanks! We didnt feel the big aftershock 6.2 lastnight either. I feel fortunate though - no damage!
DeleteScary stuff wasn't it? I need to stockpile a few things also...we mostly have scratch food, and stuff in the freezer, which won't work.
ReplyDeleteBefore living in the condo there was such limited space, it was either emergency water, or food....
Water won out. I had some canned food, can't make water.
Jen
Fortunately I have a huge crawlspace and extra room in the garage for the water. We have a crank flashlight plus large battery powered light. Natural gas fireplace and bbq (furnace is electric though).
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