Small
On Good Friday, 1964, a record breaking earthquake off the coast of Alaska sent a series of seismic waves along the coast of Vancouver Island and as far as California. Water was funnelled down the narrow Alberni Inlet, gaining momentum and speed, before hitting the Twin Cities of Alberni and Port Alberni with a series of tsunamis shortly after midnight. Due to the heroism and quick responses by many, there were no casualties, but the waterfront was declared a disaster area, millions of dollars’ worth of damage to buildings and homes and the community required federal and provincial assistance with recovery and clean up. Homes, buildings and cars literally floated away and many were deposited in streets or crushed into other buildings. Water lines, pipe lines, fuel lines and fuel tanks were smashed and leaked their contents into the river, inlet, fields and yards. Power lines and phone lines were also damaged and throughout the evening and into the next day communication was strictly limited to radio broadcasts that could be accessed on battery or car radios. Emergency shelters were set up, and emergency food supplies, clothing and blankets etc. were trucked in to the community; many families lost everything they owned. This was a defining and pivotal event in local history. Dealing with the massive devastation brought the two communities together and resulted in them amalgamating into a single city just three years later. The impact of this event persists to the present as the community continues to implement tsunami response plans.
This exhibit explores the history of the tsunami of 1964, how this natural disaster shaped the future of the two communities, and the impact on individual community members. The history is told through personal stories of heroism, bravery, generosity and humour. Interviews with residents, rescue squad members and former employees of the Mill, Radio Station, and both Cities are interspersed with historical photographs and vintage film interviews to tell the story of the events during and after the tsunami hit. Current residents and city staff speak to the City of Port Alberni’s Emergency Plan and the Tsunami Warning System direct legacies of The Great Tsunami of 1964.
