Earthquake preparedness reminder

At approximately 1:26 pm on Friday, Feb 21, a magnitude 5.4 earthquake originated 24 kilometres north-northeast of Sechelt. The earthquake was reportedly felt along the coast as far as Prince George, 800 kilometres from the epicentre.

Buildings in several large population centres, including Abbotsford, shook during the earthquake. No reports of significant damage or injuries have been associated with this event at any location, including the University of the Fraser Valley.

What to do when an earthquake happens

When the ground starts to shake or you receive an alert, remember to DROP, COVER and HOLD ON to stay safe. Drop to the ground, take cover by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on to it until the shaking stops.

If you cannot drop to the ground, lower your head to your knees while seated and cover your head and neck with your arms.

When the shaking stops, hold your position and count to 60 seconds. Be aware that aftershocks may occur.

Drop, cover and hold on any time you feel shaking.

Only call 9-1-1 and campus security for life-threatening emergencies, and do not call to ask for information.

Be prepared: actions you can take

Sign-up for UFV Alerts to receive notifications from the university about significant and urgent emergencies.

To learn more about how to better prepare for an emergency, visit the Personal Preparedness page on ufv.ca.

Learn about the importance of and how to build an Emergency Kit at PreparedBC.