'It was very devastating': Anniversary of tsunami in Port Alberni serves as warning
Monday marks the 59th anniversary of a devastating tsunami that crashed through a Vancouver Island community.
The first wave hit Port Alberni just after midnight on March 27, 1964.
A second, towering wave measuring almost five metres tall (16 feet) smashed into the community about an hour later.
The powerful tsunami damaged more than 300 homes, tossing cars like toys.
Overall damage added up to more than $100 million in today's numbers.
The waves were from the second largest earthquake ever recorded, a magnitude 9.2 subduction quake that rumbled off the coast of Alaska.
"It was very devastating," said John Cassidy, a seismologist with Natural Resources Canada.
"It's a miracle that no one was seriously injured or killed during the event," he said.
"And it wasn't just Port Alberni, it was Hot Springs Cove. Sixteen out of 18 homes were damaged during that event – and also Tofino and Ucluelet had some damage as well," he said. "Very frightening for people living in the tsunami zones in Port Alberni."
Experts say since that tsunami, many coastal communities in B.C. have developed tsunami warning systems.
Cassidy adds that the anniversary is a good reminder for people to know what to do and where to go in the event of a tsunami.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Security guard shot, critically injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.