Extreme waves and king tides are expected to hit the west coast of Vancouver Island this weekend.
Parks Canada issued and extreme wave hazard warning at the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on Friday morning, cautioning all visitors to be cautious around beaches and shorelines.
The Park Reserve is expecting waves up to seven metres high on Saturday.
B次元官网网址淰ery high wave conditions can create strong currents and shoreline flooding. Beaches can go from completely dry to several feet under water in only seconds during winter storms,B次元官网网址� the warning states. B次元官网网址淭hese surges can be violent and unpredictable and have the potential to float or roll logs and when combined with high tides can breach areas beyond the upper shoreline, like parking lots.B次元官网网址�
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No closures have been announced, however the Park Reserve is prepared to restrict access to certain areas depending on the conditions and asks that all users obey any posted closures.
Anyone wanting to watch the waves crash onto the beach is encouraged to do so from either the Kwisitis Visitor CentreB次元官网网址檚 Observation Deck at Wickaninnish Beach or the Florencia Bay Lookout.
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The region is also expecting king tides to pour in between Jan. 18-24, with the most extreme expected to hit on Monday.
B次元官网网址淧lan your seashore activities according to the tides. Be aware and watch the rising tide along your route to ensure that you can safely return the way you came,B次元官网网址� a Park Reserve bulletin reads. B次元官网网址淩espect the oceanB次元官网网址檚 power and stay off the beaches and drift logs if the tide or swell is highB次元官网网址eave space and time to react to sudden water surges.B次元官网网址�
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Visitors are urged to never turn their back to the ocean and to keep an eye on posted tide schedules as well as the Park ReserveB次元官网网址檚 Wave Hazard Rating before planning any shoreline activities.
Anyone looking for more information about staying safe around the ocean can visit www.CoastSmart.ca.
andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
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