Major earthquake (Cascadia subduction zone) Wildfire + smoke (Jun–Sep) Atmospheric-river flooding + landslides Extreme heat · extreme cold in the North

Emergency preparedness in Pacific Coast & the North

British Columbia and the territories (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut). The widest risk spread in Canada: major earthquake potential on the coast, record wildfires and heat, atmospheric-river flooding, and extreme cold and isolation in the North.

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In 2021 alone BC faced a heat dome that killed 619 people, the Lytton fire after Canada’s all-time record of 49.6 °C, and atmospheric-river floods that severed every highway to Vancouver. EmergencyKitLab Canada plans for earthquakes, fire, flood and heat.

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Why prepare in Pacific Coast & the North?

2021

Western heat dome

619 deaths in BC over a week of record heat; Lytton hit 49.6 °C — Canada’s all-time high — then ~90% of the village was destroyed by wildfire the next day.

2021

BC atmospheric-river floods

November storms flooded Sumas Prairie and Abbotsford (1,100+ homes, 600,000+ farm animals lost) and washed out 130+ km of the Coquihalla; BC’s costliest disaster.

2023

2023 wildfire season

Canada’s worst fire season on record — ~18.5 million ha burned and 200,000+ evacuated nationwide, with BC, the North and the boreal forest hit hard.

These events are real and recent. Preparing ahead of time lets you react calmly and protect your family when it matters most.

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In less than 5 minutes you will know exactly what you need: water, food, gear and communications based on the number of people and the risks in your area.

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Gear checklist for Pacific Coast & the North

Grab-and-go bag + sturdy shoes by the bed

A Cascadia earthquake gives no warning; BC sits on Canada’s highest seismic risk

Water (4 L/person/day) for 7+ days

PreparedBC advises a week of autonomy; quakes and floods can cut water mains and road access

N95/KN95 masks + HEPA plan for smoke

Interior wildfire smoke pushes the AQHI off the scale for weeks each summer

Power bank, crank radio + Alert Ready enabled

Atmospheric-river floods (Nov 2021) cut Highway 1 and the Coquihalla, isolating communities

Warm layers + vehicle cold kit (the North)

Isolation and −40 °C cold make a stranded vehicle life-threatening above the 60th parallel

Secure heavy furniture + know your gas shutoff

Earthquake injuries come from falling objects; learn to shut off utilities after shaking

The planner adjusts quantities, categories and products based on the number of people, duration and the specific risks of your area.

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Recommended products for Pacific Coast & the North

Selection based on the specific risks of this area.

Products selected by our team · Based on official sources (Public Safety Canada, Red Cross)

The product selection below is based on the analysis of the specific risks of Pacific Coast & the North and on the experience of emergency preparedness specialists. Every product was chosen for its reliability in real conditions, not just for the manufacturer specs.

Before you buy, evaluate which categories are priority for your family situation: the number of people, the presence of children or older adults, and whether your plan includes staying home or evacuating completely change the needs. Our free planner calculates the exact quantities for your case in less than five minutes.

These products are a starting point, not a definitive list. Your family's real needs depend on factors only you know: allergies, chronic medication, pets, reduced mobility or the presence of young children.

Use our planner to get a personalized list that takes all those factors into account and adjusts the quantities to the exact number of people and days you want to cover.

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Frequently asked questions about Pacific Coast & the North

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