Residents in the Campbell River area felt the earth move Wednesday after an earthqauke struck off the west coast of Vancouver Island around 8:16 p.m.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported an earthquake of 6.6 magnitude 94 kilometres south of Port Hardy at 49.82 N; 127.45 W at a depth of 11.4 km. The first earthquake was followed soon after by three more at lesser magnitudes of 5.0 and two at 4.2 and one Thursday morning at 4.1 magnitude.
Emergency Management B.C. reported there was no tsunami warning for the West Coast, including B.C., and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami was not expected.
“We can confirm at this time that there is no reporting of any injuries or any significant damage, so all folks are safe,” Pat Quealey, assistant deputy minister for Emergency Management BC, told Canadian Press.
Emergency-preparedness officials were contacted in Port Hardy, Port Alice, Zeballos, Gold River, Campbell River, Port McNeill, as well as the Strathcona Regional District and the Mount Waddington Regional District.
Shortly after the earthquake, social media sites lit up with people asking each other “Did you feel that?”
The Campbell River Mirror’s Facebook page received nearly 200 responses.
Here’s what are readers wrote on the Mirror’s Facebook page shortly after Wednesday’s earthquake struck:
“We felt it here, thought my washer was unbalanced…scary in Campbell River.”
– Cathy Green
“I was sitting and working on my laptop – my place started shaking – everything was swaying on S. Island Highway (4th floor condo) in Campbell River.”
– Bonnie Thomson
“The school earthquake
preparedness drills really work as my daughter who is in Grade 1, immediately went under the closest table when I told her what was happening, counted to 60 and held onto a leg of the table. I was glad that was such a quick reaction for her. Kudos to the schools!
– Stacey Larsen
“I was sitting on my friend’s couch and was swaying; held onto the back of it not sure what was happening! Got earthquake sickness – new one for me.”
– Marie Anderson
“We live full time in our fifth wheel in Courtenay. We were sitting in our recliners watching TV when our trailer started swaying from side to side. Our little dog sat frozen looking at us. Not fun.”
– Kathy Squires
“What earthquake? Didn’t feel a thing here in Willow Point near Sportsplex.
– Gary Hessler
“We live in a small cabin in Black Creek next to my parents house. Our cabin shook pretty hard with pots clanging and windows rattling. We ran out to my parents place and they hardly noticed it in their basement rec. room.”
– Nancy Meffen
“Actually thought the kids were moving the table. Felt silly when I checked under it and realized they were downstairs.”
– Laura Grannary
“I was thrown off the toilet.”
– Rebekah Boughton