A tsunami warning is in effect for coastal British Columbia and parts of Alaska after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 8.2 struck 256 kilometres southeast of Chiniak, Alaska, at a depth of 10 kilometres.
The quake struck at 1:31 a.m. PT and prompted a tsunami warning for the entire B.C. coast and a tsunami watch for the entire U.S. west coast, the U.S. Tsunami Warning System said.
Environment Canada says the tsunami warning covers the Central Coast and Northeast Vancouver Island coast, including Kitimat Bella Coola and Port Hardy
The weather agency says people in coastal areas are at risk and should move to high ground now and heed further instruction from local authorities.
Emergency Info BC, directed by the province’s lead agency for disaster management, says there is also a tsunami warning in effect for the Juan de Fuca Strait coast, the outer west coast of Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii.
