Nearly 80 per cent of Vancouver Island respondents of a Research Co. survey believe it is “likely” an earthquake strong enough to damage buildings will happen in B.C. in the next 50 years. Photo courtesy Research Co.
Although more than half of Vancouver Island residents say they are “concerned” about being affected by various potential emergencies, less than half say they are equipped with supplies they might need to deal to them.
A Research Co. survey released Wednesday says 49 per cent of Vancouver Island residents own an emergency kit, which is the highest rate by region in B.C.
Thirty nine per cent of respondents on Vancouver Island said they were prepared with an emergency plan to get in touch with friends and family during an emergency and 40 per cent have determined a meeting place.
“In spite of the high level of concern expressed about an earthquake affecting the province, more than half of British Columbians have not put together an emergency kit,” Research Co. President Mario Canseco said in a release.
“Residents aged 35-to-54 are doing better on this particular matter (55% have an emergency kit) than those aged 18-to-34 (45%) and those aged 55 and over (39%).”
Seventy eight per cent of Vancouver Island respondents believe an earthquake strong enough to damage buildings will happen in the next 50 years, with 41 per cent saying it is “very likely”.
When asked about level of concern for specific emergencies, 83 per cent were concerned about “a fire”, followed by 68 per cent concerned of being affected by “high winds” and 67 per cent from “an earthquake” or “heavy rainfall”.
Other emergencies listed included a toxic spill (56 per cent on Vancouver Island concerned), flood (56 per cent), a tsunami (55 per cent), heavy snowfall (53 per cent), a landslide (44 per cent) and a terrorist attack (44 per cent).
The online survey was conducted from May 2 to May 5 among 800 adults in B.C. with a The margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.
CHEK News
