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Extreme Wave Hazard and King Tide Warning for Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Dangerous Waves, Strong Currents & Upper-Shoreline Flooding

December 13-15, 2020

UCLUELET, December 9th, 2020 – Parks Canada has issued an extreme wave hazard and king tide warning, notifying the public to use extra caution on beaches, shorelines and coastal waters in and around Pacific Rim National Park Reserve between December 13th and December 15th.

The region will also be experiencing extreme high tides (King Tides) around mid-day.

During this time period, combined seas are expected to reach up to 4-6 metres. Very large wave conditions will create strong currents and upper-shoreline flooding. Beaches can go from completely dry to several feet under water in only seconds. These surges can be powerful and unpredictable and have the potential to float or roll logs. When combined with high tides, waves can breach areas beyond the upper shoreline, including parking lots.

Visitors are advised to avoid in-water activities. Shoreline users are advised to stay well back from the water’s edge especially along rocky shorelines or islands.

Park visitors interested in viewing large waves are advised to use the following safer locations:

·  Kwisitis Visitor Centre’s Observation Deck

·  Florencia Bay Look-out

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve staff will continue to monitor conditions. Depending on the severity of the flooding seas, select beach parking lots and beach areas in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve may be temporarily closed to protect visitor safety. Any updates can be found online and on the LED screens in place at four locations within the park reserve.

CoastSmart.ca is the go-to place to find the Coastal Safety information you need to make smart decisions when going in the water, or even near it. Be CoastSmart and ‘know before you go’ near the water.