EPICentre invited at workshop on coastal flooding risk in Tofino, British Columbia (Canada)

EPICentre researchers took part in a workshop on coastal flooding risk in Tofino, British Columbia (Canada). Vancouver-based Ebbwater Consulting Inc. invited EPICentre tsunami engineering team, led by Prof. Tiziana Rossetto, to share their expertise in tsunami engineering. The workshop titled ‘Ground Truthing: moving from flood risk to adaptation in Tofino’ saw the active engagement of the local community, including the mayor and council leaders, planners, emergency officers, local First Nations, and members of the business community.

The Government of British Columbia through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund supported Ebbwater and its partner Cascadia Coast Research Ltd in assessing the coastal flood hazards in the District of Tofino. This resulted in flooding maps that were presented to the local community in a workshop that took place on 9 May. Dr David Robinson and Dr Marco Baiguera from EPICentre provided an evidence basis from past events and latest research works to help the participants better understand tsunami hazard. The worst-case scenario is likely to be a full rupture of the Cascadia Subduction Zone that could generate a magnitude 9 earthquake. The subsequent tsunami could be comparable to the 2011 Tohoku tsunami (Japan) and could hit Tofino in less than 30 minutes. While the District has already a tsunami warning siren system in place, evacuation to high ground is critical for residents of the most exposed areas to tsunami. EPICentre researchers pointed out different solutions for the District, including the designation of public evacuation areas on top of new buildings.

Links

UCL EPICentre
UCL Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering
Prof Rossetto’s profile
Ebbwater Consulting Inc.