'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
Prison service to review decision to transfer killer Bernardo to medium security
The federal prison service says it will have a second look at its decision to move convicted killer Paul Bernardo to a medium-security facility as political leaders of all stripes react to the news with shock and outrage.
Data shows COVID-19 hospitalizations, severe outcomes continue to decline, but we must remain vigilant: experts
Wastewater testing, hospitalization and death data from COVID-19 tell us the virus's spread continue to trend downward in Canada. But we're not at the end, and public health experts say we must heed lessons learned from the pandemic and remain vigilant. Read the analysis on CTVNews.ca.
Poilievre threatens to filibuster budget bill if Liberals don't meet demands
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is threatening to use procedural tools to delay passage of the federal budget in the House of Commons if the Liberals don't meet his demands.
Poor air quality, evacuations in multiple provinces due to wildfires
Wildfire smoke prompted warnings about poor air quality for many regions across the country, stretching from northern Alberta to the Atlantic.
Apple unveils sleek 'Vision Pro' goggles. Will it be what VR has been looking for?
Apple on Monday unveiled a long-rumoured headset that will place its users between the virtual and real world, while also testing the technology trendsetter's ability to popularize new-fangled devices after others failed to capture the public's imagination
The Fugees reunite for what may be their last performance
Lauryn Hill brought Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel on stage over the weekend to surprise attendees of the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia and it may be the last time fans see them together.
Experts say Ottawa's 'right to repair' consultation should prioritize consumer rights
Those in favour of creating a federal right to repair law say the government should avoid shaping such legislation according to the wishes of special interest lobbyists as Ottawa gets set to launch consultations on the issue.
Using melatonin for sleep is on the rise, study says, despite potential health harms
More and more adults are taking over-the-counter melatonin to get to sleep, and some may be using it at dangerously high levels, a study has found.
'It was tough': World War II veterans return to Utah Beach to mark D-Day's 79th anniversary
World War II veterans shared vivid memories of D-Day and the fighting as dozens returned to Normandy beaches and key battle sites to mark the 79th anniversary of the decisive assault that led to the liberation of France and Western Europe from Nazi control.
Vancouver
-
‘Say neigh to live horse export’: Why Jann Arden is busking in Vancouver this week
A Canadian icon is busking on the streets of Vancouver to protest live horse exports from Canada to foreign countries.
-
Speed believed to be factor in fatal collision in Abbotsford: police
A crash involving a car and motorcycle in Abbotsford Sunday night has turned fatal, according to police.
-
Uber sets launch date for Victoria, Kelowna
Ride-hailing giant Uber has finally announced its start date for two major B.C. cities.
Edmonton
-
Edmonton teen missing after being swept away in North Saskatchewan River: police
A 14-year-old swimmer is believed to have been caught in a current and swept downstream in the North Saskatchewan River.
-
Homicide unit investigating death at scene of robbery in Forest Heights
A person was killed during a robbery in Edmonton's Forest Heights neighbourhood Monday morning.
-
2 injured in separate amusement ride incidents in Stony Plain
Two people were hospitalized after being injured during amusement ride incidents in Stony Plain Friday night.
Toronto
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Correctional Service of Canada releases statement on Paul Bernardo's transfer to medium-security prison
The Correctional Service of Canada has released a statement about serial killer Paul Bernardo's transfer to a medium-security prison.
-
These are the new freedoms Paul Bernardo could get in a medium-security prison
Paul Bernardo’s transfer to a medium-security facility has led to questions surrounding whether the move will mean new freedoms for the serial killer.
-
U.S. driver takes wrong turn, gets arrested at border with more than $350K worth of cannabis
An American driver has been arrested by the RCMP after making a wrong turn and ending up in a line to cross the Canadian border while in procession of hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of cannabis.
Calgary
-
City official says Calgary Flames arena deal to include a 35-year commitment to stay
A city official says a $1.2-billion deal to replace Calgary's aging Saddledome with a new National Hockey League arena would come with a 35-year lease that includes a commitment from the owners of the Calgary Flames to stay in the city.
-
Peace officer's vehicle struck during Newell County, Alta., traffic stop
Officials say no one was injured, but an investigation is ongoing after a peace officer's vehicle was struck "at a high rate of speed" during a traffic stop on Friday.
-
2 injured in separate amusement ride incidents in Stony Plain
Two people were hospitalized after being injured during amusement ride incidents in Stony Plain Friday night.
Montreal
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING | Montreal organized crime figure Francesco Del Balso killed in daylight shooting
A 53-year-old man was shot and killed in the Montreal suburb of Dorval on Monday afternoon.
-
OBITUARY
OBITUARY | Editor of Montreal's only newspaper for Black community, Egbert Gaye, died at 67
Community Contact newspaper managing editor Egbert Gaye has died. He was 67 years old. He founded the newspaper 31 years ago to serve Montreal's English-speaking Black and Caribbean populations.
-
Number of Quebec wildfires rises to 164, at least 114 are out of control
The number of forest fires continues to rise in Quebec, while evacuation orders are being maintained for several areas of Sept-Îles, on the North Shore. Minister of Employment and Minister responsible for the North Shore region Kateri Champagne Jourdain said on Monday morning that 164 forest fires were currently burning across Quebec, compared with 156 the previous day.
Atlantic
-
Weather conditions ground aircraft covering Shelburne County wildfire
Crews fighting an out-of-control wildfire in southwestern Nova Scotia are trying to determine what impact weekend rain had on their efforts.
-
N.S. government to contact people impacted by cybersecurity breach
Nova Scotia’s government and cybersecurity experts are working to get to the bottom of a breach whose impact still isn't fully understood.
-
Wildfire areas soaked over the weekend, rainfall warnings in effect
A much needed rain fell over the weekend for much of the Maritimes, including those areas combating wildfires.
Winnipeg
-
-
Winnipeg bridge construction project cost increasing
The price tag for the St. Vital Bridge project is going up.
-
Here is how much rain fell in Manitoba over the weekend
As thunderstorms touched down in Manitoba over the weekend, a number of communities were hit with more than 50 millimetres (mm) of rain.
Kitchener
-
Lawyers for WRDSB and teacher removed from board meeting argue in Hamilton court
A panel of three judges heard arguments from lawyers representing a retired teacher and the Waterloo Regional District School Board (WRDSB) on Monday, a year and a half after the teacher’s presentation was halted during a trustee meeting.
-
Fatal fire under investigation in Waterloo
Waterloo Regional Police are investigating a fatal fire in Waterloo.
-
Police are warning people with this model of car to take extra precautions
It comes amid what police say is a growing number of thefts targeting the model.
Regina
-
Trial for Regina man charged with murder of brother delayed due to health
The trial of a man charged in connection to the death of his brother was set to get underway in Regina on Monday but now faces a delay.
-
New regulations announced for 'excessively noisy' vehicles in Sask.
Drivers with 'excessively loud' vehicles will soon be subject to new rules from SGI, mandating that all light vehicles must be quieter than 101.3 decibels.
-
'Huge lineups': Mosaic festival's return a massive success in Regina
Mosaic - a Festival of Cultures returned for the first time since 2019 this past weekend and all-in-all was a massive success, according to the festival’s chair Nish Prasad.
Barrie
-
One person charged in Collingwood homicide
One person has been charged with second-degree murder after a 33-year-old man was killed in Collingwood on Friday.
-
Motorcycle driver left in ditch for hours after crashing into sign near Elmvale
A motorcycle driver is in serious condition after an early Monday morning crash in Phelpston.
-
2-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sends five to hospital
Five people were sent to hospital after a two-vehicle crash in Georgian Bay Township just after 9 p.m. on Saturday.
Saskatoon
-
Tornado watch issued for western Sask.
Residents of the western portion of the province should be on the lookout for tornadoes, Environment Canada says.
-
Suspicious fire destroys Saskatoon garage
An early morning fire in Saskatoon that destroyed a garage is believed to be suspicious.
-
New regulations announced for 'excessively noisy' vehicles in Sask.
Drivers with 'excessively loud' vehicles will soon be subject to new rules from SGI, mandating that all light vehicles must be quieter than 101.3 decibels.
Northern Ontario
-
Evacuation notice issued for residents as forest fire burns near Calabogie, Ont.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says the fire in the Centennial Lake area was reported just after 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
-
Here's what Nova Scotia's wildfires look like from outer space
Photos released by NASA taken from International Space Station show the immense scale of the wildfires in Nova Scotia, with billowing smoke engulfing the landscape.
-
Prison service to review decision to transfer killer Bernardo to medium security
The federal prison service says it will have a second look at its decision to move convicted killer Paul Bernardo to a medium-security facility as political leaders of all stripes react to the news with shock and outrage.