Tsunami siren sets off waves of anxiety among White Rock residents

More than a few White Rock and south Surrey residents had some anxious moments Thursday when the Semiahmoo First Nation tested a tsunami siren alert — without indicating it was a test.

“Our fire chief said there were three lines going for 20 minutes with people calling and saying ‘What’s happening? Is this a drill or for real?’, ” said White Rock spokeswoman Farnaz Farrokhi of the incident. “The public was quite confused and it was not clear that it was not a test. We hope it never happens again.”

Farrokhi said the Semiahmoo First Nation informed the city that it would be conducting an evacuation drill for the First Nation community just east of the city starting at 11 a.m.

However, she said, Semiahmoo officials didn’t inform the city that the alarms would not be accompanied by clear messaging that it was a test only.

She said the test caused panic among many residents, who believed it was a real evacuation, particularly when they heard, “This is a tsunami warning, please vacate and get to higher ground or inland now, do not return.”

She said the city was concerned about the First Nation’s lack of communication and has communicated its concerns and need for clearer communication with the city and public in the future.

Farrokhi said the city’s Facebook and Twitter accounts lit up from anxious residents, and that “one woman came in with her cat wondering what to do.”

She said others drove to neighbours’ homes to warn people that a tsunami was on the way and to “get out.”

Farrokhi said the test lasted for about 20 minutes but was not heard by officials at city hall.

“We’re fine with the testing, but very disappointed that they didn’t put in a warning either before or after,” she said.

A representative for the Semiahmoo First Nation could not be reached for comment.

“We’re fine with the testing, but very disappointed that they didn’t put in a warning either before or after.” — Farnaz Farrokhi